NIVERSITY  OF  CA  R  VERS  DE.  LIBRARY 


UNIVERSIT 


3  1210016569749 


\ 


NAPOLEON 


-A.3ST3D 


* 


A  TRAGEDY 


.IN 


>     A  PROLOGUE,  AND  FIVE  ACTS, 


BY 


R.    S.    DEMENT. 


AUTHOR'S  EDITION. 


CHICAGO: 

ItsTE-WS 


1876. 


-* 

.  ^Entgmli{i6<Drdmg  to  Act  of  Congiress,  in  the  year  1874,  by 
'T  >^E,.    S.    IDIEiSyi:  IE  USTT. 

of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESft^VED.      Ny 


- 


AUTHOR'S  PREFATORY  NOTE. 


In  the  theory  that  Napoleon  was  simply  inspired 
by  the  belief  that  he  was  the  child  of  destiny, 
there  is  hardly  enough,  to  my  mind,  to  reconcile 
the  strange  events  and  many  inconsistencies  of  his 
remarkable  career.  I  have  therefore  assumed  that 
he  was  possessed  of  no  less  an  hallucination  than 
that,  as  the  peculiar  child  of  destiny,  his  course  was 
directed,  or  rather  suggested,  by  an  actual  prqsiding 
deity  whom  he  personified  as  Fate.  To  her  he 
conceived  that  he  bore  something  of  the  same  rela- 
tion as  Achilles  to  Thetis,  though  recognizing  in 
Fate  one  possessed  of  no  less  power  than  Jove  him- 
self. I  prefer  the  word  suggested,  as  it  is  hardly  in 
keeping  with  the  character  of  Napoleon  that  he 

would  have  submitted  to  more  than  this  even  fror^ 
the  Immortals. 

The  affection  of  Napoleon  for  Josephine  is  pro- 
verbial, and  it  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  do 


4  Author's  Prefatory  Note. 

^j- 

more  than  affirm  that,  perhaps,  there  is  no  recorded 
instance  of  a  higher  or  tenderer  love  hetween  man 
and  wife,  and  yet,  love — the  strongest  passion  of 
humanity,  in  which  the  soul  reaches  nearest  to 
the  Infinite — was  made  to  yield  to  what  would  cer- 
tainly have  been  a  lower  incentive,  had  he  not  be- 
lieved that  all  heaven  and  earth  stood  in  waiting 
•  for  his  action. 

I  have,  it  will  be  discovered,  antedated  and 
crowded  events,  and  entirely  ignored  many  of  the 
most  remarkable  events  and  characters  connected 
with  Napoleon's  career.  To  the  Directors,  Barras, 
Gohier  and  Moulins,  I  have  attributed  all  the  con,- 
spiracies  that  appear  in  the  play.  Eugene  de 
Beauharnais,  whose  age  is  advanced,  did  not  return 
with  Junot  and  Joseph  Bonaparte  when  the  Stand- 
ards and  Bulletins  were  sent  to  the  Directory,  as 
appears  in  the  play.  These,  and  other  obvious 
deviations  from  historical  accuracy  will,  it  is  trusted, 
not  diminish  the  pleasure  the  author  hopes  the 
reader  will  find  in  this  production.  In  the  main  it 
is  true  to  history. 

The  author  claims  that  the  tragic  ending  of  Act 
V.  is  not  far  from  the  actual  history  of  the  death 


Author's  Prefatory  Note.  5 

of  The  Empress  Josephine,  for  the  divorce  was 
certainly  the  death-knell  of  her  happiness,  and  the 
cloud  that  first  dimmed  and  finally  obscured  the 
star  of  Napoleon. 

To  secure  as  early  publication  as  circumstances 
required,  it  was  found  necessary  to  omit  the  foot 
notes  and  appendix,  in  which  due  cre'dit  is  given 

where  the  author  feels  indebted. 

K.  S.  D. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONS. 


NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE  (the  General  of  France) ; 

afterwards  EMPEROR  NAPOLEON  I. 
EUGENE  DE  BEAUHARNAIS. 
JOSEPH  BONAPARTE. 
LUCIEN  BONAPARTE. 
COMPTE  DE  BARRAS. 
CARNOT. 
GOHIER. 
MOULINS. 

LAREVILLIERE  LEPEAUX. 
LETOURNEUR. 
REWBELL. 
RAGIDEAU. 

COUNT  VON  COBLENTZ. 
MARQUIS  MANFREDINI. 
REYNARD  (a  Soldier);  afterwards  Valet  to  the 

Emperor. 

OFFICER  OF  THE  GUARD. 
AUGEREAU. 
ORIANI. 
LE  GROS. 
POPE  Pius  VII. 


8  Dramatis  Personce. 

JOSEPH  MARIE  ROSA  DE  TACHER  DE  LA  PAGEEIE; 

afterwards 

VISCOUNTESS  DE  BEAUHARNAIS;  afterwards 
EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE. 
MARY  (sister  of  Josephine). 
PRINCESS  AUGUSTA. 
HORTENSE  DE  BEAUHARNAIS. 

* '  •  •' 

EUPHEMIA  (a  Sybil). 

IST,  2o  AND  SD  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE 
FIVE  HUNDRED, — IST  AND  2o  CITIZENS. — IST, 
2o  AND  SD  SECRETARIES. — CARBON.: — ST.  KE- 

JEANT. LlMCELIN. A  LlTTLE  GlRL. PREL- 
ATES.— MEMBERS  OF  BONAPARTE  FAMILY. — 
LADY  ATTEND  ANTS.— Cmz  ENS. — SOLDIERS. — 
COURTIERS. — PAGES. — NEGROES. 


PROLOGUE. 


MARTINIQUE. 

A.  bower  looking  out  upon  the  sea.  Inland  the 
background,  at  first  undulating,  rises  to  mountains. 

Looking  through  the  bower,  the  placid  surface  of 
the  water  is  discovered  sparkling  in  the  sunlight, 
while  at  the  entrance  is  suspended  a  silken  ham- 
mock ornamented  with  flowers. 

Upon  the  opening  of  the  scene,  is  discovered  a 
party  of  negroes  in  conversation. 

Ent&r  EUPHEMIA. 

EUPHEMIA. 

But  yesterday  a  heavy  sky  ! 
The  clouds  hung  dark  and  ominous  o'erhead ; 
To-day  how  beautiful!     And  to-morrow — 
Ah!  ah! 

A  NEGRO   (approaching}. 
What  have  the  stars  to  say  for  me  ? 


12  Prologue. 

EUPHEMIA. 

The  stars  are  hid  from  mortal  eyes  to-day  ; 
Too  bright  a,  sun  shuts  out  the  great  beyoud 
Xo  less  than  heavy  clouds. 

NEGRO. 

Cannot  you  see 
Beyond  clouds  or  sun  ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

Ah  !  who  can  see 
The  great  futurity  ? 


Then  I  will  go. 
EUPHEMIA. 

Stay  !  let  me  look  into  your  hand  — 
A  happy  life  awaits  you,  live  in  hope. 
Only  a  few  dark  days,  and  then  — 

NEGRO. 

What  then  ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

Wait  patiently  and  you  shall  see,  shall  see. 

[_A  young  negress  approaches.  EUPHEMIA 
takes  her  hand,  gazes  into  it.  Then, 
without  speaking,  leads  her  to  IST  NE- 
GRO, and,  putting  her  hand  in  his': 

Your  fates  are  one. 


Prologue.  13 

[Whereupon  all  the  negr  esses  rush  to  have 
their  fortunes  told.  Old  EUPHEMIA 
throws  up  her  hands,  and,  catching 
sight  of  the  approaching  JOSEPHINE, 

[Exeunt. 

Enter  JOSEPHINE. 
.i 

JOSEPHINE. 

Fair  sylvan  bower !     O,  can  there  be  beside  thee, 
So  lovely  a  spot  in  all  the  realms  of  earth  ? 
What  magic  pow'r  could  give  such  beauty  birth ; 
Such  forms  and  colors  exquisite  provide  thee? 
Thou  dreamy  scene  of  happy  childhood's  vision ; 
Shrine  of  delights  supreme !  sublime  elysium  ! 

Beneath  my  feet  thy  richest  carpets  spread, 
Of  green  and  gold,  with  bright-hued  flowers  blend- 
ing ; 

And,  as  each  petal  yields  its  silvery  tips 
Of  morning  dew,  and  opes  its  tiny  lips 
To  drink  the  sunlight,  sweetest  fragrance  sending 
On  every  breath  that  rises  from  its  bed ; 
Celestial,  then,  the  bird-songs  overhead, 
With  ./Sol's  softened  cadences  attending. 

The  heaven-kissing  mountains  rise  behind  thee, 
O'er  whose  grand  heights  the  sun  first  peeps  to  find 

thee, 
Then  rushes  down  in  warm  embrace  to  bind  thee, 


1*4  Prologue. 

\ 

Divinely  tinting  ere  he  will  resign  thee. 

On  either  side  the  enchanted  woodland  lies — 

Old-fabled  labyrinthine  mysteries, 

Home  of  bright  fays  and  goblin  histories. 

Above,  what  grotesque  shapes  of  beauty  race 
Through  the  ethereal  azure  depths  of  heaven ! 
And,  as  the  orb  of  day  sinks  in  the  west, 
Kissing  the  silv'ry  wavelet's  sparkling  crest, 
What  crystal  splendor  to  the  sea  is  given  ! 
What  tints  sublime,  what  matchless  colors  grace 
Those  glory-pictures  of  mysterious  space  ; 
Bright  ruby  forms  bathing  in  clouds  of  pearl, 
Resting  so  gracefully  in  golden  world. 

How  nature  lavishly  bestows  her  gifts — 

But  list ! 
Who  comes  to  break  upon  my  revery  ? 

[Enter  EUPHEMIA.] 

What  is  so  wonderful, 
Grim  prophetess  ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

Oh,  wonderful  indeed ! 
Most  wonderful ! 

JOSEPHINE. 
Bad  fortune  is't,  or  o-ood  ? 

*  tj 


Prologue.  1'5 

EUPHEMIA. 

Ah  who  can  tell  what's  good  or  bad  for  us  ? 
Your  hand  bodes  evil,  but  your  face,  your  face 
As  plainly  speaks  of  happiness — yes,  great 
And  lofty  happiness  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

How  cautious ! 

'Tis  best  when  one  seeks  not  to  be  entrapped, 
Yet  some  great  story,  wonderful,  would  tell, 
Having  but  little  semblance  of  the  truth ; 
But  proceed  grave  oracle ! 

EUPHEMIA. 

I  dare  not 

Speak  to  you  more  plainly  !     Oh,  pardon  me  ! 
Let  me  leave  you  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Stay!     I  "command  you.     Speak! 
You  shall  tell  on  if  good  or  bad  it  be ! 
You  go  not  from  my  presence  till  I  hear 

This  strange  hallucination  through  and  through. ' 

/ 

EUPHEMIA. 

Well,  since  you  order  it,  I  must  obey — 
I  must  obey  ! — Your  countenance  does  tell 
That  destiny  has  sealed  for  you  a  fate 


T6  Prologue. 

Which,  struggle    though    you    may,    cannot    be 

changed ! 

Soon  you  will  wed.     And  ah  !  alas  !  how  soon 
Again  husbaudless !     And  then — 

JOSEPHINE. 

Then  !     What  then  ? 

EUPHEMIA. 

You  shall  be  queen  of  France !     Yes,  more  than 

queen ! 

And  then,  glorious  life !  happiest  days 
Shall  bless  you !     A  mighty  emperor  shall  share 
With  you  his  crown. — But  ah  !  alas  !  alas  ! 
Misfortune  then  will  come ! — yet,  fondly  loved, 
A  world  shall  mourn  your  fall. 

[Rushes  away. 

JOSEPHINE,   (laughing}. 

Good  bye  !  good  bye  !  poor  old  Euphemia  ! 
Seek  one  who  kneels  at  superstition's  shrine, 
If  thou  wouldst  win  a  name  for  prophecy. 

[Goes  to  hammock  and  reclines  in  it. 

"  Fate — queen  of  France — yes,  more  than  queen  ! 
And  then  glorious  life  !  happiest  days 
Shall  bless  you ! — A  mighty  emperor  shall  share 
With  you  his  crown. — But  ah  !  alas  !  alas  ! 
Misfortune  then  " — No !  I  '11  not  believe  it. 


Prologue.  17 

Why  do  I  thus  permit  my  silly  tonguo 
To  prattle  o'er  this  idle  prophecy  ? 

Enter  MAEY.  ' 

I  am  too  happy,  seeing  you,  my  love ! 
Take  uiy  guitar  and  sing  to  me. 

[MAKY  sings. 

[Exit  MAEY. 

JOSEPHINE  (coming  down  from  hammock}. 
Where,  where  am  I? — my  hammock? — Martin- 
ique ? 

This  is  not  France ! — Oh  !  oh  ! — The  dream !  the 
dream  ! 

[Falls. 

Re-enter  MARY. 

My  sister !  Josephine  !  Josephine ! 

[Goes  to  JOSEPHINE. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Oh,  Mary,  such  high  happiness  !     And  ah  ! 
Such  bitter,  bitter  grief  did  follow  it ! 

MAEY. 

Tell  me,  dear  sister  !  tell  me,  Josephine  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 
You  know  I  have  no  thought  apart  from  you ; 

2 


18  Prologue. 

That  I  have  ever,  ever  shared  with  you 
My  confidence,  my  dearest  secret  thought ! 
That  in  my  soul  I  love  you  as  I  would 
Find  love  in  heaven      But  do  you  forget 
That,  from  my  youth,  I  never  could  recall 
The  simplest  action  of  the  brain  in  sleep  ? 
In  dim  outline  my  dreams  sometimes  return 
Like  pictures,  yet  underneath  a  veil 
Of  mystery.     But,  when  I  seek  to  lift 
The  veil  they  vanish  !  vanish  !  and  I  see 
Onry  th'  incorporeal  air. 

[Exeunt. 


\_A  storm  is  heard  approaching  in  the  dis- 
tance. It  grows  nearer ;  then  clouds 
pass  over  the  sea,  as  seen  through  the 
bower,  followed  by  lightning  and  deep 
rolling  thunder. 

\_Curtain  falls. 


ACT  I. 

Seventeen  years  are  supposed  to  have  elapsed. 
SCENE  FIRST. 

PAEIS. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  GENERAL-IN-CHIEF  BONAPARTE. 

OFFICER  OF  THE  GUARD  and  REYNARD  (a  Soldier)  dis- 
covered. 

REYNARD. 

You  'ave  live  in  La  Corsica?     You  know  ze 
General  ? 

OFFICER. 

The  fellow  speaks  English —  [aside. 

Yes,  have  known  him  from  childhood — was  with 
him  at  Brienne. 

REYNARD. 
Ze  school  of  ze  militaire  ? 


20  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

OFFICEB. 

He  remained  there  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age.  He  was  always  a  mystery  to  us — 

REYNARD. 
Ah,  ha ! 

OFFICER. 

and  kept  himself  apart  from  us,  wearing  a  sombre 
visage — 

KEYNAED. 

Zc  look  mysterieux ! 

OFFICER. 

and  seemed  ever  wrapped  in  thought.  I  have 
known  him  to  walk  for  hours  with  folded  arms 
and  head  bent  low,  oblivious  to  all  about  him. 

REYNARD. 

He  vas  look  in  ze  futuaire,  ze  great  futuaire  of 
La  Belle  France ! 

OFFICER. 

He  lived  almost  wholly  to  himself,  his  books  and 
his  thoughts;  but,  with  a  quiet  dignity,  he  ever 
bore  courteous  demeanor,  and  his  friendship  was 
sought  by  all.  The  champion  of  the  cause  of  the 


SCENE  I.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  21 

feeble  and  oppressed,  he  had  no  sympathy  with 
petty  tyranny,  and  ruled  us  all  with  a  grave  au- 
thority that  we  obeyed,  not  knowing  why. 

REYNARD. 

Ah,  ha !  Zat  is  ze  qualite  militaire !  He  will 
be  vun  great  General. 

OFFICER. 

To  me  he  *was  ever  frank,  and  I  became  ac- 
quainted with  many  strange  and  mysterious  theories 
through  him  ;  one  of  which  was  a  divination  from 
numerical  formula. 

KEYNAED. 
Ze  look  in  ze  futuaire ! 

OFFICER. 

From  the  mythology  of  the  ancients  he  had  con- 
ceived a  strange  theory  of  his  own,  and  I  think 
believed  in  an  actual  presiding  deity  who  shaped 
his  own  particular  destiny. 

REYNARD. 

Ah,  ha  !  He  believe  in  ze  gods  of  ze  Greek  and 
ze  Roman  ? 

OFFICER. 
Not  altogether  as  the  Greeks  and  the  Romans 


22  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

believed  in  them,  but  in  the  separate  forces  they 
represented. 

REYNAED. 
Sooblime  conceptione ! 

OFFICEE. 
But  upon  these  subjects  he  was  very  reticent. 

REYNAED. 

'Ave  not  mooche  to  speak — ze  great  man  'ave 
not  mooche  to  speak — he  'ave  ze  t'ought — ze  con- 
ceptione magnifique  !  ze  graand  idea  !  ze  look  in  ze 
futuaire. 

OFFICER. 

I  was  with  him  at  Toulon,  and  often  near  him, 
for  he  mixed  with  us  where  the  fight  was  hottest, 
cheering  and  directing  our  movements.  Once, 
when  the  shells  flew  thick  above  us,  a  cannon-ball 
took  off  the  head  of  an  artillery  man,  as  he  was 
in  the  act  of  applying  the  match.  The  General 
stooped,  and  taking  the  match  from  the  dead  man's 
hand,  discharged  the  gun,  and  then,  for  several 
hours,  kept  his  post  with  the  rest  of  us. 

REYNAED. 
Proud  empressmcnt!    He  'ave  ze  graand  cour- 


SCENE  i.]       Napoleon  and  Josephene.  23 

age !  Ah,  monsieur,  he  'ave  ze  graand  courage ! 
Ah,  ha  !  you  'ave  remembaire  ze  Thirteenth  Ven- 
demiaire  ?  Ah,  mon  Dieu  !  ze  scream  of  ze  vim- 
men  !  ze  shout  of  ze  soldiare !  ze  moan  of  ze  dying ! 
ze  streets  run  vis  ze  blood  !  ze  cannon  roar  like  ze 
deep  tundiare !  Ze  balls  viz,  phew !  round  ze  'ead 
of  ze  General !  He  valk  in  ze  blood  !  He  'ave  no 
change  in  ze  face — ze  look  impassione  !  But  he  'ave 
ze  fire  in  ze  eye !  Ah,  ha !  he  'ave  ze  fire  in 
ze  eye! 

OFFICER. 
'T  was  this  success  that  made  him  General. 

REYNARD. 

Vun  graand  jour  for  La  Belle  France  to  make 
him  General ! 

OFFICER. 

I  should  have  been  glad  to  witness  the  scene 
when  he  rushed  into  the  convention,  and,  by  his 
eloquence,  turned  the  tide  of  affairs. 

REYNARD. 

I  vas  on  ze  guard,  I  see  and  'ear  it  all.  Zat  vas 
vun  graand  jour,  long  to  be  remembaire.  Ze  con- 
ventione  'ave  no  'ead,  no  queue ;  ze  membaire  all 
speak  at  vun  time — "  Ze  Sections  'ave  ze  vicioir  ! 


24  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

Ze  Sections  'ave  ze  victoir  !  "  come  ze  vord  all  ze 
vile.  Zen  come  ze  armistice  from  General  Menou ! 
Hell  Sacrement !  ze  confusione,  ze  uproar !  Ze 
President,  Barras,  lose  all  control.  Ahjia!  voila! 
Ze  young  man  viz  ze  pale  face !  He  rush  in  ze 
conventione  !  He  stop  to  catch  ze  bress,  and  look 
vis  ze  fire  eye — zen  he  make  vun  graand  speech  ! 
Ah  mon  Dieu  !  Ze  passione,  ze  eloquence  !  He 
say  ze  conventione  in  us  not  lose  vun  leetle  moment. 
I  no  can  remernbaire  ze  grand  speech,  but  he  make 
vun  ver'  graand  speech  !  Zen  ze  couventione  give 
ze  command  to  ze  young  man  viz  ze  pale  face — ze 
command  of  ze  soldaire.  Ah,  mon  Dieu  I  Zat  vas 
vun  graand  jour  for  La  Belle  France. 

OFFICER. 

But  see,  he  comes  !     Let  us  withdraw. 

[Exeunt. 

Enter  BONAPARTE. 

BONAPARTE. 

"Pis  said  that  when  these  eyes  first  saw  the  light, 
They  gazed  upon  a  piece  of  tapestry, 
Whereon  were  painted  Iliad's  tragic  scenes. 
And  that  my  father  on  the  bed  of  death 
Recurring  to  this  circumstance  of  birth, 
Made  honorable  mention  of  my  name, 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  25 

And  said,  "  Napoleon's  sword  shall  one  clay  rule 
And  triumph  o'er  all  Europe's  haughty  pride  !  " 
— How  has  this  thought  coursed  ever  through  my 

brain  ! 

Dear  childhood  !  glorious  youth  !  what  memories 
Linger  now  with  you !     What  wondrous  visions 
Hover  over  you,  of  future  greatness 
And  immortal  fame!     How,  adown  the  years, 
The  one  great  thought  of  power  reigned  supreme ! 
How  do  the  boundless  resources  of  soul, 
Armed  with  this  thought,  cry  Onward  !  ever  on ! 
Why  should  I -doubt  its  inspiration's  source, 
When  in  my  dreams  it  rings  out  as  a  voice 
Forth  from  the  lips  of  the  great  goddess  Fate  ? 
— Odd  years  do  intervene 
Between  her  visits  on  my  natal  hour, 
Yet  each  recurring  year  adds  one  more  star 
Unto  the  crown  she  holds  above  my  head. 
— Seven  and   three,  twice  three,  and  seven,  and 

three — 

The  divination  of  a  unity  ! 
I  '11  doubt  no  more  ! 
Jacta  est  Alea  ! 

— Thou  supreme  goddess  Fate,  my  mother,  hail ! 
Lo !  let  the  firm  alliance  now  be  sealed  ! 
Lead  on  !  lead  on  ! 
About  it  now,  good  brain, 
Thou  never-resting  !     We  are  dauntless  now  ! 


26  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  I. 

Conceive,  and  She  shall  help  to  execute, 
The  Indomitable  Will ! 

[^4  noise  of  quarreling  and  strife  without. 

Enter  SOLDIER  OF  THE  GUARD. 
SOLDIEE. 

General,  a  youth  in  hot  impatience 

Waits  without,  demanding  quick  admission. 

BONAPARTE. 
Demanding  ?     Well,  his  name ! 

SOLDIER. 

Eugene  de  Beauharnais. 

BONAPARTE. 

Admit  him !      Stay  !  Let  him  be  attended ! 

[Exit  SOLDIER. 

Enter  EUGENE,  (attended.} 

BONAPARTE. 

Your  business  must  be  urgent,  Sir,  indeed, 
Since  you  do  knock  so  loudly  for  admission. 

EUGENE. 
Urgent  indeed,  thcu  vicegerent  of  death  ! 


SCENE  i.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  27 

For  at  the  hands  of  this  base  government 
We  have  received  such  wrongs  as  loudly  call 
For  honest  reparation  or  revenge ! 
And  at  the  bar  of  God  will  louder  call, 
For,  pay  as  best  you  can,  you  cannot  pay 
The  price  that  He  puts  on  a  single  soul. 
My  mother  claims  a  husband  at  your  hands ; 
She  has  a  son  and  daughter  who  both  claim 
A  father,  murdered  by  your  damned  decree ! 
Oh,  hell,  ope  wide^your  jaws  and  swallow  up 
The  hideous  monsters  who  now  prey  on  France ! 

BONAPARTE. 
Dare  you  say  the  Republic  murdered  your  father  ? 

EUGENE. 

Aye  !     More  I  dare  !     For  what  now  can  I  lose  ? 

Thousands  of  the  noblest  and  best  blood 

That  e'er  gave  strength  to  France,  were,  by  this 

same 

Republic  which  you  serve,  untimely  sent 
To  moulder  in  their  graves !     The  very  earth 
Grew  sick,  being  so  forced  to  overfeed 
On  human  carcasses.     But  I  came  not 
To  plead  for  France,  or  for  my  father  who 
Now  rests,  thank  God !  beyond  your  wicked  pow'r ! 
I  claim  my  father's  sword  which  recently 
Your  soldiers  forced  away.     For  it  was  mine, 


28  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  I. 

And  on  it  I  have  sworn  to  be  like  him 
Who  nobly  bore  it  in  his  country's  cause. 
My  mother  bade  me  take  that  oath 
And  I  will  keep  it  sacred  while  I  live. 

BONAPARTE. 

You  seem  right  noble  ;  what  have  you  to  plead 
Why  the  great  mandates  of  your  country  should, 
In  your  case  more  than  others,  be  ignored  ? 

EUGENE. 

That  which  should  be  a  nation's  gratitude 
To  one  who  ever  valiantly  did  fight 
On  many  bloody,  hard  contested  fields 
In  her  defense,  and  who  at  last  was  slain, 
To  appease  the  wrath  of  her  most  deadly 
And  inveterate  enemies ! 
That  just  right  of  protection  which  belongs 
To  those  who  are  the  widows,  daughters,  sons 
Of  the  defenders  of  their  country's  cause 
Why,  sir,  the  spirit  of  true  chivalry 
Robs  not  the  dead  nor  strikes  a  fallen  foe, 
But  to  his  widow  and  his  orphans  gives 
As  strong  an  arm  as  to  his  own  dear  rights. 
Why  gave  you  up  my  father's  property, 
And  held  it  not  as  lawful  confiscate 
]f  that  he  was  a  traitor,  worthy  death  ? 
And  now  you  take  his  sword  ! 


SCENE  I.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  29 

What  greater  right  to  it  than  to  his  lands  ? 

What  value  is  to  you  this  sword  ? 

On  whom  would  you  presume  to  buckle  it  ? 

Not  in  the  confines  of  the  Republic 

Could  be  found  one  who  would  be  worthy  of  it. 

BONAPAKTE. 

But  should  I  give  it  you,  will  you  consent 
To  take  an  oath  that  you  will  wear  it 
Only  in  your  country's  cause? 

EUGENE. 

A  double  oath  ? 

If  one  were  virtueless,  what  greater  power 
Would  bind  me  in  the  second  ?•    Said  I  not 
That  on  my  father's  sword,  before  high  heaven, 
I  promised  to  my  mother  I  would  be 
Like  him  ?     And  who  will  dare  to  say  that  he, 
My  noble  father,  was  a  traitor  ? 
Or  think  you  that  an  oath  would  record  find 
In  heaven  given  to  "you,  and  one  before 
My  mother  be  refused. 

BONAPARTE. 

Your  mother  is, 

No  doubt,  a  virtuous,  good  old  lady. 


30  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  ACT  i. 

EUGENE. 

My  mother  is  both  virtuous  and  good — 
Too  good,  too  good  and  pure  that  from  her  eyes 
Heartless  and  wicked  men  should  cause  to  flow 
Such  very  floods  of  tears. 

BONAPARTE. 

Have  you  no  fear, 

That  with  such  bold  vehemence  you  upbraid 
The  rulers  of  Great  France ! 

EUGENE. 

I  had  just  returned 
From  St.  Germain ;  and  when  I  saw 
A  vacant  place  upon  the  wall  where  once 
Did  hang  my  father's  sword,  and  too  was  told 
How  in  base  mockery  and  sacrilege 
It  had  thence  been  ta'en— 
And  when  my  mother's  weeping  eyes,  blanched 

cheeks 

And  trembling  form  confronted  me,  I  rushed 
Out  in  the  street  and  swore  I'd  have  that  sword 
Or  die  in  fighting  for  it ! 

BONAPARTE. 

Come  to  my  arms,  thojjjioble,  noble  youth  ! 
Happy  mother,  what  else  so  e'er  betide 
Whom  gracious  Heaven  has  blessed  with  such  a 

son ! 


SCENE  I.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  31 

Happy  the  land  that  claims  thee  for  her  own  ! 
Now  thou  shalt  have  thy  father's  sword  — 
Bring  forth  Beauharuais'  sword  ! 

[Exit  soldier,  who  returns  with  sword.~\ 
It  shall  be  thine ! 

There,  I  will  buckle  it  upon  thy  thigh. 
*Now  go,  and  bless  thy  mother  with  the  sight 
Of  a  most  noble  and  most  worthy  son ! 

EUGENE  \1cissing  sword). 

Oh,  General,  'tis  well  sometimes  to  lose, 
Else  should  we  know  how  sweet  it  is  to  find. 

[.Exit,  attended. 
Ah  !  'tis  too  true ! 

Too  true  the  story  of  this  noble  youth ! 
France  has  passed  through  that  unnatural  fire 
Which  well  nigh  has  consumed  her  gold  and  left 
But  miserable  dross. 
She  had  drained  the  intoxicating  cup 
Of  liberty,  and  it  had  made  her  mad. 
But  the  royal  blood  of  her  own  children, 
Of  which  she  drank  so  freely,  at  last  cooled 

Her  burning  mania. 

\Exit. 

Re-enter  OFFICER  and  REYNARD. 

B.EYNARD. 

Bravo !  bravo  for  ze  young  man !     By  gar,  he  is 
vim  brave  Frenchman. 


32  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

»  ' 

OFFICER. 

He  is  a  noble  fellow !     I  knew  his  father. 

REYNARD. 

He  is  vun  brave  young  man  !  He  'ave  ze  grand 
courage.  By  gar!  I  loafe  ze  young  man.  He  viil 
make  vun  brave  soldiaire. 

OFFICER. 

A  mother  may  well  be  proud  of  such  a  son. 
Have  you  seen  her  ? 

REYNARD. 

La  Viscountess  de  Beauharnais  ?  S'e 'ave  ze 
beauty  of  Martinique,  ze  grace  and  polish  of 
France.  S'e  'ave  ze  divine  perfectione  I  Ah,  Mon 
Dieuj  ze  voice !  S'e  'ave  ze  voice  of  ze  ^Eolian  ! 
You  'ave  'ear  no  sweet  music  till  you  'ave  'ear  zat 
voice ! 

OFFICER. 
You  grow  eloquent  in  her  praise. 

REYNARD. 

\ 

Yen  you  'ave  seen  la  Belle  Dame  de  la  Belle 
France.  Ah  ha  !  you  'ave  ze  eloquence. 


. 

SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  33 

OFFICER. 

She  must  have  wedded  young  to  be  the  mother 
of  so  old  a  son,  and  yet  retain  such  wondrous 
beauty. 

REYNARD. 

You  'ave  ze  right,  but  ze  young  man  is  not  so 
old  as  he  look. 

OFFICER. 
Why  do  you  speak  English  ? 

REYNARD. 

Ze  General  'ave  tell  me  I  mus'  mastaire  ze  lan- 
guage. I  mus'  obey  my  General. 

Re-enter  BONAPARTE. 
BONAPARTE. 

To  REYNARD.] 

This  to  the  Directory.  [Giving  dispatch. 

[Exeunt  OFFICER  and  REYNARD. 
Carnot  is  true  as  steel ! — I  like  not  Barras, 
Nor  will  I  trust  him. 
That  man,  whose  greatest  satisfaction. 
Is  persecution  and  severity 
To  enemies,  can  have  no  friend  so  dear 
But  who,  if  not  subservient  to  him 
In  his  basest  ends,  he  '11  sacrifice. 
Though  he  your  shoe  may  buckle  day  by  day, 


34  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

'T  is  only  that  you  wear  it  out  for  him. 

Barras  befriends  me, 

Since  I  did  help  him  on  to  his  renown, 

But  let  my  service  cease — farewell  Barras  ! 

Carnot  is  noble,  and  to  him  I  go 

For  my  commission  into  Italy. 

Give  me  sweet  fame,  sweet  fame,  O  Italy  ! 

And  I  will  bury  deep  the  memories 

Of  the  Thirteenth  Vendemiaire. 

Enter  a  SOLDIER. 

SOLDIER. 

i 

The  Viscountess  de  Beauharnais  requests  an  au- 
dience. 

BONAPARTE. 
Admit  her. 

[Enter  JOSEPHINE.] 
At  your  service.  Madame. 

JOSEPHINE. 

General  Bonaparte : 

I  come  to  pay  that  tribute  which  belongs 
To  him  who  saw  more  touching  eloquence 
In  youthful  words  and  face  than  soldiers  saw 
In  woman's  tears.     And  in  the  name  of  him 
Who  once  so  honorably  bore  the  sword 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephene.  35 

Which  you  have  generously  returned  to  us, 
His  widow  and  his  children,  I  thank  you  ! 
And,  if  the  vehemence  and  fire  of  youth 
Suggested  bitter  words  in  our  Eugene, 
Accept  our  deep  regret  and  pardon  him  I 

BONAPARTE. 

Viscountess  de  Beauharnais : 

Too  well  I  know  the  justice  of  the  cause 

For  which  he  spoke  to  censure  him.     Rather 

Would  I  praise  his  noble  heroism. 

Through  wreck  of  empire  and  the  clouds  of  war 

How  few  are  left  of  all  the  pride  of  France  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

How  few — how  few.     Yet  truth  undisciplined 
To  gentle  words,  urged  on  by  outraged  justice 
And  impetuous  youth,  though  it  be  truth, 
May  give  offense,  stepping  beyond  the  bounds 
Of  that  true  courtesy  which  indeed  belongs 
Even  to  passion.     I  can  hardly  hope 
But  that  Eugene  spoke  hastily,  and  owes 
A  just  apology,  the  which  would  I 
Now  pay  for  him. 

BONAPARTE. 

Too  proud  am  I  for  France, 

In  that  she  should  have  left  to  her  a  son 


36  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

Who  dares  plead  eloquently  for  the  right 
Against  a  fearful  odds,  not  counting  costs. 
Apologies  from  Eugene  !     Kather  say 
From  France. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Accused  he  not  you,  General, 
Being  in  power  ? 

BONAPAKTE. 

The  military 

Is  but  the  automaton  of  nations. 
The  soldier  only  knows  obedience, 
Though  it  should  lead  him  to  the  cannon's  mouth. 

<_~>  *•      •  it  ...       •**  ** —          — '  « 

Eugene  did  know  this,  and  his  charges  laid 
With  words  well  seasoned  at  the  proper  door, 
Fpr  which  most  truly  do  I  honor  him ; 
And,  by  your  gracious  leave  and  his  consent, 
Would  help  him  to  preferments  whence  he  may 
Have  opportunity  to  prove  to  France 
And  all  the  world,  a  true  nobility 
And  lofty  genius. 

JOSEPHINE. 

I  thank  you — thank  you  ! 

Ah,  Sir,  I  had  despaired  of  France  !  Poor  France ! 
Oh,  save  our  country,  and  in  tribute  we 
Your  subjects  will  forever,  ever  bless  you  ! 

[Offers  to  go. 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  37 

BONAPARTE. 

Stay!     One  moment,  pardon  me! 

Madam,  give  me  but  leave  to  be  your  guest, 

And  though  in  France  you  find  but  little  hope, 

You  may  an  honorable  frienship  find 

In  her  General. 

JOSEPHINE. 

For  such  distinguished  honor 
I  should  only  be  too  grateful. 

[Offers  to  go. 

BONAPARTE. 

One  moment  more !     You  are  unattended — 
My  guard  awaits  your  service. 

JOSEPHINE. 

I  thank  you! 

But,  General,  you  forget  my  schooling. 
The  woman  who  could  pass  through  Robespierre's 

reign, 

Has  little  of  that  feeling  now  called  fear, 
Still  less  with  Bonaparte  chief  General. 

[Exit. 


38  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

BONAPARTE. 

It  cannot  be  a  dream! 

Of  such  perfection,  dream  cQuld  ne'er  conceive! 

—  Nay,  I  am  sensible  to  feeling,  touch, 

Sight,  sound — it  is,  it  is  reality! 

I  breathe — my  heart  beats — God!  'twill  leap  from 

me! 

— Oh,  insignificant  and  pallid  orb, 
What  lonely  twilight's  left  since  she  has  gone ! 
Now  will  I  have  thee,  though  it  cost  all  France ! 
All  France! 

Oh,  beggar's  gift!     Crowns,  scepter,  power 
Will  I  add  to  it  —  aye,  till  all  the  world 
Shall  do  thee  homage! 
Lands,  rivers  and  great  oceans,  vieing  each 
Shall    yield    their     choicest    gems    to    deck    thy 

crown, 
And  fairest    climes  their    flowers,  whence  gentle 

dews, 

Quick'd  i'  the  roseate  light  shall  rise  for  thee, 
In  spray  of  rare  perfume,  divinely  sweet ! 
On  earth  an  universal  happiness, 
For  thou  $halt  be  the  Queen  ! 
— Oh  insufficiency! 
Thou  shouldst  have  heaven  !  a  coronet  of  stars  ! 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  39 

— If,  in  the  Directory 

Good  Carnot  should  succeed — I  must  have  France, 

And  Italy  shall  lead  me  to  the  throne. 

France  mine,  and  I  have  won  the  stepping-stone 

To  universal  empire. — Now,  Glory 

Clasps  hands  with  Love,  and  Fate,   supreme  o'er 

all, 
Points  forward  I 

[Exit. 


40  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

SCENE  SECOND. 

THE    DIRECTORY. 

CARNOT,  BAKRAS,  LAREVILLIERE  LEPEAUX,  REWBELL  and 
LETOURNEUR  ; — REWBELL  presiding. 

REWBELL. 

Citizen  Directors : 

Again  have  we  assembled  in  the  name 

And  by  the  vested  power  of  the  Republic. 

Let  only  wisdom's  counsels  here  prevail, 

That  all  the  land  may  safety  see  in  us ; 

That  tenderly  we  nurse  our  infant  state 

Through  all  the  episodes  of  growing  strength — 

Happy  childhood,  ambitious  youth,  e'en  to 

A  full-grown  noble  manhood. 

We  are  but  yet  a  bold  experiment 

Which  oft  before  has  wrought  a  sad  defeat ; 

Let  not  our  children  write  upon  our  tombs : 

These  were  the  fathers  who  but  vainly  sought 

To  give  to  the  Republic  longer  life. 

But,  to  forego  a  formal  opening  speech, 

Consuming  time  which  is  so  precious  now, 

'T  is  well  we  fall  to  work. 

Citizen  Director  Carnot, 

Have  you  report  to  make  touching  the  strength 

And  disposition  of  our  armies  ? 

We  are  in  waiting  for  it,  if  so  be. 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  .      41 

i 

CAKNOT. 

Citizen,  President,  and  Directors : 
As  last  reported,  all  goes  slowly  on. 
Tis  well,  I  think,  that  we  do  quickly  make 
Some  changes  in  our  officers,  and  add 
New  lives  to  our  wasting  armies. 
I  need  not  trace  the  detailed  history  , 
Of  that  unfruitful,  indecisive  war 
Which  for  the  last  four  years  France  has  main- 
tained 

Against  the  Austrian  and  Sardinian  arms — 
Too  well  is  known  to  all  of  you  our  loss, 
Too  palpable  our  national  disgrace. 
Year  by  year,  we  have  barely  met  the  foe, 
On  narrow  battle-fields,  mid  deep  defiles 
Of  towering  Alps,  and  neath  the  craggy  feet 
Of  theLigUirian  Appenines — met, 
But  not  vanquished — only  exchanged  our  blows 
For  blows  which  we  received.     Till  now, 
An  army  weak,  and  miserably  clad, 
Without  provisions  wholesome  e'en  for  brutes, 
Relaxed  in  discipline,  ambitionless, 
Cursing  their  country,  and  no  less  themselves 
For  its  neglect,  their  own  torpidity  ; 
Five-and-thirty  thousand  of  such  men  as  these, 
And  an  imbecile  for  General, 
Are  all  that  now  is  left  to  us  of  what 
Was  cmce  a  noble  army  of  brave  men. 


42  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  ACT  i. 

Look  around  you!     What  have  we  to  meet? 
England,  Austria,  Bavaria,  Piedmont, 
Naples,  and  some  minor  States  of  Germany 
And  Italy — all  joined  to  Austria's  league. 
The  key  is  Italy, 
Held  by  the  army  of  Beaulieu, 
Full  sixty  thousand  brave,  well-marshaled  men. 
What  follows? 

Shall  we  retain  as  General,  Scherer, 
Because  there  is  no  bold  apparent  crime 
On  which  to  bring  an  accusation  ? 
What  greater  crime  can  generals  commit 
Than  failure? 
No  less  we  need,  Directors, 
Than  one  who  can  at  once  inspire  with  life 
And  a  new  courage  give  our  broken  troops, 
With  genius  to  command  and  marshal  them 
To  victory ! 

E'en  such  an  one  have  we 
In  Toulon's  conqueror,  our  once  defender, 
Now  our  General,  Napoleon  Bonaparte. 
With  all  due  courtesy  to  others'  views, 
I  do  a  step  most  firmly  advocate 
Deposing  General  Scherer,  and  his  place 
Give  o'er  to  Bonaparte. 

LEPEATJX. 
Citizen  Directors : 
Let  us  guard  well,  lest  those  may  Ke  deposed 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  43 

Wliom  circumstances  have  combined  against, 
And,  though  possessing  ample  skill  at  arms, 
Have  made  short  progress. 

BARRAS. 

Citizen,  President,  and  worthy  colleagues : 

The  very  force  and  weight  of  argument 

Of  worthy  Citizen  Carnot,  must  be 

To  all  apparent.     France  long  has  been  disgraced 

By  sad  mismanagement  in  Italy. 

'T  is  well  we  look  to  it. 

Now  press  on  every  hand  the  combined  force 

Of  Austria  and  her  firm  allies. 

To  right,  to  left,  without,  within,  around, 

And  everywhere  the  foes  of  France  are  thick ! 

Sleeping  or  waking,  we  are  beset  with  spies, 

Our  councils  filled  with  foul  distempered  knaves, 

Our  people,  by  old  feuds  held  separate, 

Sowing  germs  of  discord  quick'd  i'  the  sun 

At  every  noon. 

Who  knows  but  by  to-morrow's  dawn 

We  shall  find  safety  only  in  defense 

Or  flight  from  some  self-constituted  power, 

Like  that  of  the  Thirteenth  Vendemiaire  ? 

We  stand  too  long  fearing  lest  we  offend ! 

The  times  demand  quick  action — let 's  amend  ! 

The  key  of  Austria's  strength  is  Italy  ! 

The  key  of  our  success  is  Italy  ! 


44  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i 

Then  let  us  strike  the  foe  in  Italy  ! 

First  bring  we  home  this  Scherer,  long  worn  out, 

A  rank  offense  to  France  and  to  our  arms  ; 

Supplant  him  with  our  Bonaparte,  and  give 

"  Achilles  "  a  fair  field  for  enterprise.  ' 

Then  shall  proud  Austria  and  her  allies  feel 

What  't  is  to  meet  the  great  Republic's  steel ! 

LETOURNEUR. 

Citizen  Directors : 

Do  we  forget  our  hero 's  but  a  youth 

Compared  to  those  whose  fame  is  no  less  great, 

Who  have  grown  gray  in  honorable  service  ? 

The  Corsican,  in  truth,  deserves  great  praise, 

But  is  not  Italy  too  heavy  weight 

For  strength  so  tender !     Why  look  you,  I  pray, 

He  is  scarce  twenty-five — 

CARNOT. 

Aye  !  almost  as  young,  good  Letourneur, 
As  Alexander  !  Scipio  !  or  Conde ! 
Why,  worthy  sir,  our  Bonaparte  has  lived 
A  quarter  of  a  century  ! 

KEWBELL,  Pres. 

Citizen  Directors  : 

Our  subject  is  too  weighty  for  great  haste, 

I  pray  you  now  at  once  give  o'er  debate 


SCENE  ii.]       Napoleon  and  Josephene.  45 

Until  we  next  convene.      Meanwhile  reflect 
As  well  becomes  the  step  we  are  to  take. 

[Exeunt  all  but  BARKAS. 

BARRAS. 

Yes,  yes !  for  young  "Achilles "  the  best  place 

Is  Italy ! 

He  grows  too  fast — I'll  nip  him  in  good  time 

Ere  this  green  fruitage  of  his  glory 

Shall  ripen  into  power. 

Now,  then,  "Achilles,"  ho !  for  Italy ! 

Oh,  dear  Beaulieu,  Barras  sends,  greeting  thee, 

.Petit  "Achilles." 

[Exit. 

REYNARD.   (Coming  from  concealment.} 
Ah  !  ha !     Monsieur  Barras ;   Reynard,  ze  fox, 
vill  make  zis  graand  speech  to  ze  General.     By 
Gar,  I  vas  like  to  pique  you  vis  my  rappier ! 

[Exit. 


46  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 


SCENE  THIRD. 

Drawing-room  of  Viscountess  de  BEAUITARNAIS.  JOSE- 
PHINE, AUGUSTA  and  BARRAS,  with  number  of  Ladies 
and  .Gentlemen,  in  conversation  BONAPARTE  off  to 
himself. 

[Exit  all  ljut  BONAPARTE  and  JOSEFIIENE. 

BONAPARTE. 

Your  pardon,  Madam ! 

'  Twas  not  through  want  of  due  respect  that  I 

Was  so  oblivious — 

Your  chart  of  Italy  is  most  correct, 

Though  small,  as  I  have  learned  of  it ; 

When  overwhelmed  in  thought  it  is  my  fault 

That  I,  oftirnes,  neglect  the  courtesy 

That  rightfully  is  due  to — 

JOSEPHINE. 

You  certainly  are  quite  excusable ! 

For,  in  these  days,  those  who  protect  our  land 

Have  little  time  for  social  intercourse. 

BONAPAETE. 

Most  true — most  true — 
And  yet  the  object  of  my  visit  here 
Is  of  a  nature  least  'akin  to  war — 
I  am  in  love. 


SCENE  in,]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  47 

JOSEPHINE. 

Not  always  least  akin  to  war, 

Good  General,  but  very  often  brings 

Its  victims  least  of  peace.     Yet,  may  I  know, 

Since  you  already  volunteer  so  much, 

The  name  of  her  so  honored  with  the  love 

Of  Toulons'  conqueror,  the  General  of  France? 

BONAPARTE. 

With  all  my  heart,  as  all  my  heart  is  yours ! 
I  love  you  !     Be  my  wife  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Is  it  a  jest 
You  would  indulge  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

Look  I  as  one  who  jests  ? 
My  life  has  been 

As  restless  ever  as  a  storm-tossed  sea, 
/  Seeking  something  it  could  not  find, 

O  D  ,         v 

Seeking  it  knew  not  what,  yet  feeling 

As  if  it  were  no  more  than  half  itself. 

I  said,  '  It  is  ambition,'  sought  for  fame, 

And  easily  obtained  it ;  yet  a  thirst 

Burning  and  torturing  me  was  unquenched. 

Above  the  clang 

Of  clashing  steel,  the  din  of  frightful  war, 


48  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [[ACT  i. 

Still  came  a  soul-cry  yet  unsatisfied, 
When,  like  an  angel  spirit  all  unhid, 
Thou  didst  appear,  dear  empress  of  my  soul ! 
— In  silence  looks  the  Supreme  Goddess  down, 
Still  beckoning  me  on  to  other  fields. 
Lo  !  in  defiance  of  all  power  above, 
Beneath,  I  claim  your  hand,  and  at  your  feet 
Will  prostrate  all !  aye,  even  to  a  world  I 

JOSEPHINE. 

Marriage 

Is  fraught  with  consequence  but  less  than  death  ! 

One  for  this  life  seals  a  fate,  the  other 

For  that  longer  life  which  is  to  come. 

BONAPARTE. 

Though  well  assured  of  this,  still  do  I  urge 
My  suit. 

JOSEPHINE. 

But  have  you  well  considered  all, 
My  age,  my  children  and  my  former  love  ? 

BONAPARTE. 
All  this  and  more,  and  more. 

JOSEPHINE. 

What  more? 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  49 

BONAPARTE. 

Myself. 

JOSEPHINE. 
I  do  not  understand. 

BONAPARTE. 

My  love  is  all 

That  I  can  offer  in  exchange  for  these — 
But  oh,  that  love  is  life,  soul,  all !  my  heaven  ! 
— Speak  !     Is't  or  life  or  death  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 

Oh  do  not  think  my  life  currents  run  cold  ! — 
Experience  makes  us  considerate. 

BONAPARTE. 

The  future,  the  fair  future  is  before  us  : 

7 

Life  will  date  anew  from  that  bright  moment 
AVe  are  one.     Love  is  an  eternal  springtime  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Nay,  do  not  pause,  speak  on  !     Your  words  do 

thrill 

With  that  strange  ecstacy  of  which  I've  dreamed 
Though  never  felt  till  now — 

Ah  !  Ah  !  that  fate  should  stand  between  us  ! 
4 


50  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  I. 

BONAPARTE. 

Fate! 

Can  it  be  that  Fate  appears  to  her  ?      (aside.) 

JOSEPHINE. 

It  seems  stern  fate  forbids  that  I  should  be 
The  wife  of  General  Bonaparte. 

BONAPARTE.      % 
Madam,  do  you  seek  to  trifle  with  me  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 

No !  No  !  I  am  indeed  most  serious ! 

I  cannot  be  your  wife  since  I  am  destined 

To  be  Queen  of  France. 

BONAPARTE. 

Pray  you,  explain  \ 

JOSEPHINE. 

In  Martinique  a  prophetess  foretold 
My  fortune.     So  far,  her  words  oracular 
Have  been  fulfilled  ;  conclude  I,  then,  tho  rest 
Will  yet  be  realized. 

BONAPARTE. 

Give  me  her  words ! 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  51 

JOSEPHINE. 

"  You  shall  be  Queen  of  France.     Yes,  more  than 

Queen ! 

And  then,  glorious  life !   happiest  days 
Shall  bless  you  !     A  mighty  Emperor  shall  share 
With  you  his  crown  ! 
But  ah  !  alas  •!  misfortune  then  will  come  ! 
Yet,  fondly  loved,  a  world  shall  mourn  your  fall' 

BONAPARTE. 
To  Fate  I  bid  defiance  !     Be  my  wife  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

v 

Your  wife — your  wife — 

BONAPAETE. 

• 

Aye,  my  wife ! 

You  muse  right  strangely.     Gather  the  clouds 

SQL  darkly  in  the  morning  sky  ^of  love  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 

Nay  !     It  seems  the  rose-tint  deepens 
As  I  gaze  upon  the  rising  beams  of  light ! 
And  now  it  melts  into  the  white  !     And  now 
A  flood  of  glory  bathes  the  world  ! 
fOh  is  it  now  the  morning  of  my  life  ? 
The  night  was  long  and  dark,  so  dark ! 


52  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

BONAPARTE. 

No  night 

Less  glorious  than  the  day,  with  such  a  stay 
As  thou  to  hallow  it ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Art  thou  the  Sun 

That  lifts  the  sable  curtains  of  my  night  ? 
Oh   world !    Thou  art   too  small  for  this  hour's 
ecstacy ! 

BONAPAETE. 

Oh  come,  and  we  will  rise  even  beyond 
This  hour  !     Aye,  even  to  companionship 
Of  gods ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Ah,  let  me  lean  upon  thee  first ; 
Yet  am  I  weak,  and  tremble  'neath  my  load 
Of  joy!     When  I  am  stronger  I  will  learn 
To  bear  my  rapture. 

BONAPAETE. 

Thou  shalt  be  queen  of  France !  and  reign, 
As  now,  most  absolute  o'er  my  fond  soul ! 
Fair  Empress,  e'er  your  hand  the  scepter  bear, 
Let  it  receive,  in  token  of  fealty, 
A  kiss  most  sacred  since  it  is  my  first. 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  53 

Enter  a  PAGE. 

PAGE. 
Le  Monsieur  Ragideau. 

JOSEPHINE. 

To  2?onaparte.~] 
'T  is  some  affair  of  business,  I  think. 

BONAPARTE. 
Give  him  audience;  I  will  retire. 

[Retires  to  recess  in  drawing-room. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Admit  Monsieur  Ragideau  ! 

[Exit  PAGE. 

Enter  RAGIDEAU. 

RAGIDEAU. 

There* is  a  private  matter,  not  indeed 
So  much  of  business  as  interwoven 
With  your  prosperity  and  happiness! 
And,  with  deference  to  your  prerogative, 
I  should  be  found  unworthy  of  your  trust 
As  honorable  Advocate,  should  I 
Not  warn  you  of  so  hazardous  a  step 


54  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  ACT  i. 

As  that  you  contemplate  in  second  marriage. 
Your  friends  have  looked  with  much  alarm 
Upon  this  change,  fraught  with  so  great  hazard. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Our  affairs,  it  seems,  are  known  by  others 
Ere  they  come  to  us.     (aside). 

But  my  dear  Advocate 
Do  you  share  with  my  friends  in  this  alarm  ? 

BAGIDEAU. 

Madam,  you  are  rich  and  independent ; 

Five-and-twenty  thousand  francs  is  no  mean  sum 

To  come  in  yearly — too  much  to  give  away. 

You  are  young,  beautiful !  yes,  beautiful ! 

I  am  no  flatterer,  madam,  that  you  know  ; 

I  am  your  Advocate,  and  I  tell  you, 

You  can  command  who  e'er  you  will. 

General  Bonaparte  may  be  noble, 

Good,  generous,  brave — he  is  a  soldier, 

And  poor — he  must  abide  the  fate  of  war ; 

He  must  be  separate  from  you — live  so, 

For  'tis  a  soldier's  lot — Fame  is  not  sure. 

There  are  few  Caesars,  Alexanders  few, 

Yet  millions  have  their  graves  untimely  found, 

Seeking  that  which  few  do  gain. 

Put  each  of  you  the  same  at  stake,  Madame, 

The  case  would  then  be  very  different ; 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  55 

But  in  the  scale,  all  else  being  equal, 
Your  purse  would  quite  outweigh  his  sword  and 
hat. 

JOSEPHINE. 

gut  he  is  honQrable^ Jbrave •  andJxue_L 
Worships  me  as  his  idol! — Have  I  not 
A  purse  that 's  strong  enough  for  both  ? 

RAGIDEATJ. 

Let  me  suppose  a  case : — You  marry ; — 

Another  revolution  overthrows 

Our  government ; — General  Bonaparte 

Is  conspicuous  in  the  Republic  ; — 

His  property  and  yours  are  confiscate, 

And  you  are  left  to  do  the  best  you  can — 

Perhaps  to  suffer.     I  have  not  overdrawn ; 

History  proves  the  instability 

Of  new — yes,  all — republics.     Besides, 

Ever  harraasad  with  fear,  the  soldier's  wife 

Knows  not  whether  she  be  wife  or  widow. 

JOSEPHINE  (laughing). 

What  think  you,  General  ?  what  think  you  now 
Of  my  good  Advocate's  advice  ? 

[BONAPARTE  comes 
forward  and  takes  RAGIDEAU  by  the  hand. 


56  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

BONAPARTE. 

Monsieur  Ragideau  has  spoken  honestly ! 
I  can  but  honor  him  the  more  for  it. 
I  trust  his  fears  may  not  be  realized, 
And  that  he  will  to  us  give  his  consent, 
His  office  to  continue.     Such  a  man 
May  well  be  trusted. 

\_Exeunt. 

{Enter  from  one  side  AUGUSTA  and  HOR- 
TENSE  ;  from  the  other,  EUGENE. 

EUGENE. 
I  am  glad  to  meet  you. 

HORTENSE. 

We  to  meet  you. 
But  brother,  you  surprise  us ! 

EUGENE. 

It  seems  I  am 

Required  to-night  at  the  headquarters 
Of  General  Bonaparte. 

HORTENSE. 

Do  you  know 
The  cause  for  which  he  summons  you  ? 


SCENE  in.]      Napoleon  and  Jbsephene.  57 

EUGENE. 

Well,  no! 

And  yet  I  do  surmise  it  is  to  make 
A  soldier  of  me. 

AUGUSTA  and  HOKTENSE. 
A  soldier  ? 

r 

AUGUSTA. 

No !  no ! 
EUGENE. 

From  what  he  did  convey  as  his  intent 
To  my  mother  and  myself,  I  must  think 
This  is  his  purpose. 

HORTENSE. 

But  you  will  not  go  ? 
[EUGENE  crosses  to  AUGUSTA. 
There 's  something  deeper,  then,  than  sister's  love  ? 

[Exit. 

EUGENE. 
Nay,  sweetheart,  sweetheart,  do  not  be  so  sad  ! 

AUGUSTA. 

And  will  you  go  even  though  it  is  his  wish  ? 

EUGENE. 
My  will  is  yours,  I  have  no  other,  Sweet, 


58  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  i. 

Save  when  you  will  less  for  yourself  than  me. 
The  General's  wish  is  near  akin  to  law — 
Yet  it  may  be  that  I  am  wrong  in  what 
I  have  inferred.     And  still,  if  I  be  right, 
Let  it  not  rest  so  heavy  on  your  heart ! 
We  must  remember,  Love — nay  ne'er  forget — 
That  sorrow,  hardly  less  than  that  which  now 
Does  threaten  us,  did  bring  me  to  your  side. 

AUGUSTA. 
Oh,  would  you  leave  me  for  the  phantom  Fame.? 

EUGENE. 

Leave  you  ?    No !    No !  Nay,  not  for  all  the  world, 
Though  it  should  lie  an  off' ring  at  my  feet. 
Ah,  without  you,  how  empty  it  would  be  I 
Augusta,  I  cannot  conceive  of  heaven 
Without  you. 

AUGUSTA. 
Eugene !     Eugene ! 

EUGENE. 

Augusta, 

Hear  me  !  oh  for  a  voice  to  tell  my  love  ! — 
Impossible  !     On  such  a  theme  all  words 
Are  impotent.     Not  long  ago  I  stood 
Beside  the  sea ;  a  distant  storm  had  lashed 


SCENE  in.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  59 

The  waves  into  a  furious  mutiny, 

Until  they  rolled  high  up  upon  the  beach, 

A  mountain  range  of  spray,  sun-kissed  to  pearls ! 

Oh,  't  was  sublimely  beautiful !  and  yet 

It  had  but  little  charm  for  me,  dear  love ! 

— But  yesterday  I  visited  the  scenes 

Of  Fontainbleau — its  forests  and  chateau, 

Where  man  and  nature  join  their  highest  art — 

And  as,  from  scene  to  scene,  my  eyes  did  pass 

Where  other  eyes  do  find  such  fair  delight, 

A  longing,  then  as  now  unutterable, 

Filled  my  breast  for  you,  and  all  comfortless 

I  turned  away  to  drink  the  zephyrs 

Wafted  from  your  home. 

I  measure  all,  weigh  all,  count  all  by  you ! 

The  height  of  heaven  is  measured  by  your  love ! 

The  weight  of  worlds  my  love  for  you  outweighs ! 

And  every  moment  counts  as  nothing, 

Or  with  you ! 

AUGUSTA. 

Eugene,  I  know  you  love  me ! 
And  oh,  do  you  remember  that  fair  drearh 
When,  sitting  on  the  border  of  a  stream, 
I  watched  the  swans  gliding  o'er  sunlit  waves, 
The  fragrant  breath  of  water-lilies 
Lingering  with  song  of  birds  upon  the  air  ? 
The  while  I  thought  of  you,  and  wished  that  you 


60  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  T. 

Were  by  my  side?     And  how  a  little  boat 
Turned  round  the  stream's  quick  curve  ere  I  had 

wished  ? 

You  sprang  from  it  to  clasp  me  in  your  arms 
And  press  your  loving  lips  to  mine — 
Until  at  last  the  hour  sped,  I  waked^ 
In  parting  from  you.     Let  me  tell  you  now 
What  followed  this  a  few  weeks  afterward. 
— Not  far  from  where  I  dreamed  there  is  a  lake 
Within  the  borders  of  a  lonely  park  ; 
And  flowing  into  it  there  is  a  stream, 
Not  unlike  that  my  dream  disclosed  to  me. 
And  this  I  visited  some  two  months  since ; 
The  swans  were  at  my  feet,  and  lilies  sweet, 
And  songs  of  birds,  all  just  as  I  had  seen 
Them  in  my  dream,  were  now  reality. 
I  lifted  up  my  eyes  to  look  for  you — 
An  empty,  empty  boat  came  round  the  bend  ! 
The  agony  of  that  one  moment  was 
An  hundred  deaths  !     Eugene,  thou  wilt  not  go  ? 

V 

EUGENE. 

This  was  some  two  months  past,  yet  have  we  seen 
Many  sweet  hours  together  since  that  time. 
If  this  strange  circumstance  have  meaning,  'tis 
That,  my  short  absence  o'er,  I  will  return 
To  find  with  you  new  joys,  as  we  have  had 
Since  then.  Good  cheer !  Good  cheer  !  I  may  not  go, 


SCENE  in.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  61 

Yet  if  I  do  'twill  be  but  to  return 
And  lay  my  honors  at  your  feet. 

AUGUSTA. 

For  your  absence  what  honors  could  repay  ? 
Think  you  I  care  for  honors  ?     Oh  my  love  ! 
I  would  not  have  you  greater  than  you  are — 
Great  as  the  world  calls  great;  to  me  there  is 
Nothing  so  high  but  that  you  are  above, 
Beyond  it !     Nay,  I  could  not  wish  for  aught 
I  do  not  find  in  you.     What  could  I  add 
Unto  your  excellence  ?     Eugene  !  Eugene ! 

EUGENE. 

Would  you  not  see  me  honored  among  men, 
Commanding  armies,  wielding  sword  and  pen 
Until  my  fame  should  reach  throughout  the  world  ? 

,  AUGUSTA. 

'  Those  whom  men  honor  are  of  little  worth. 
God  honors  who  are  nearest  like  Himself. 
For  one  who  rises  many  sure  must  fall. 
I  would  not  see  your  greatness  builded 
On  broken  hearts  and  desolated  homes, 
And  though  your  fame  should  run  throughout  the 

world, 

I  could  not  love  you  more  than  I  do  now. 
I  am  content  with  you  just  as  you  are, 
And  would  not  have  you  one  jot  different. 


62  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  I. 

EUGENE. 

My  dear  Augusta  !  would  that  I  could  feel 

That  I  were  worthy  of  such  love  as  this ; 

Though  'twas  with  pride  I  heard  the  Gcueral  speak, 

I  only  saw  my  future  as  for  you. 

Achievement  else  were  hollow  mockery. 

— But  come !  you  shall  know  all  without  delay. 

Good  bye !     Good  bye ! 

[Offers  to  go. 

AUGUSTA. 

Eugene,  when  on  the  field  of  battle,  will  you  ask 

Yourself,  ere  you  decide  to  take  a  step 

Wherein  great  danger  lies, 

"What  would  Augusta  have  me  do?"     And  I 

Will  ever  ask,  even  in  lightest  matters, 

"  What  would  my  Eugene  counsel  ?  "   Must  you  go  ? 

I  cannot,  cannot  give  you  up,  Eugene ! 

There  are  a  thousand  things  that  I  would  say  ! 

I  cannot  let  you  go ! — Farewell. 

[Exit  EUGENE. 

Eugene !     Eugene !     (falls.) 

[Scene  Changes  to  a  Tableau  ;  BONAPARTE,  Mounted, 
Leading  the  Armies  of  France.'] 

[Curtain  falls. 

END   OF    ACT    I. 


Napoleon  and  Josephine.  63 


ACT    II. 

SCENE  FIRST. 
PAELOES  OF  MADAME  BONAPAETE. 

BARRAS  discovered. — Enter  a  PAGE. 

PAGE. 

Madame  Bonaparte 

Regrets  she  cannot  grant  you  audience 
At  once,  but  begs  you  will  remain.     Meantime 
Permit  me  to  serve  you. 

\_Exit  PAGE.     Returns  with  wine.     Exit. 

BARRAS. 

The  musty  adage  of  a  "a  prophet's  fame " 

Does  not  apply,  it  seems,  to  one  who  drinks. 

— ^ine_deadejis^  is  dull-mettled, 

Takes  hold  upon  the  senses,  rocks  to  sleep  ; 

A  sweet  sleep,  but  it  lasts  too  long  by  half! 

'T_.is_  terrible  to  wake  from  it ! 

What  have  we  here  ?     Ah  !  Cognac,  by  Jove  ! 

Oh,  thou  sparkling  beauty !  queen  of  my  soul ! 

Thou  giv'st  an  hundred  years  in  one ! 

[Drinks. 


64  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  ACT  n. 

Married !  and  off  to  Italy  ! 

So  soon  to  quit  her  !     Oh,  most  cruel  speed ! 

'T  is  foulest  slander  on  both  sexes,  this, 

.That  full-blown  manhood  could,  for  such  a  cause, 

Give  o'er  the  very  paragon  of  love  ! 

The  perfect  pattern — nay,  the  goddess — 

Of  pure  symmetry  !     Ye  gods !  for  fruit  so  rich 

I  'd  bid  the  world  good -night,  and  leave  to  fools 

The  jflimsy  glories  jjf  uncertain  fame. 

Were  't  mine,  this  citadel  of  pleasure, 

I'd  dwell  in  it,  nor  e'er  be  seen  without. 

Patriotism !     Bah ! 

The  chameleon  dish,  well  stew'd  with  fame, 

Seasoned  all  through  and  through  with  promises, 

Then  served  with  golden  spoon  of  patronage 

By  those  in  power,  to  ambitious  fools 

Whom   they  would   use.     Barras  would  prize    a 

throne 

For  what  it  added  unto  his  desires ; 
'Nor  risk  too  much  obtaining  it,  since  now 
His  cup's  well  filled.     For  in  your  graveyard  glory 
He  could  never  find  a  relish. 
Then  live  ye  for  the  future  those  who  will ! 
Barras,  in  this  life,  seeks  to  find  his  fill. 
By  Jove!  this  Bonaparte 
Has  left  rich  pasturage  for  some  man's  colt ! 
I'll  look  to  't !     Who  has  better  right  ? 
I  helped  him  to  his  greatness,  'tis  but  just 


SCENE  i.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  65 

* 

He  should  repay  me.     I'll  prescribe  the  terms ; 
My  choice  of  coin !     I'll  not  take  the  Republic's, 
But  that  of  Royalty,  less  circulate  ; 
Recently  new  stamped,  but  not  impaired. 
Oh,  Beaulieu!  trip  "petit  Achilles," 
And  leave  to  me  the  sighing  widow! 
— Now  to  the  Directory ! 
If  Bonaparte  do  meet  success,  why  then 
'Twas  Barras  raised  him  to  his  great  command  ! 
But  if  he  fall — as  fall  I  pray  he  may, 
Since  I  do  fear  this  growing  Corsican — 
Then  on  poor  Carnot's  shoulders  rests  the  blame. 
And  yet,  before  she  comes,  a  health 
To  "petit  Achilles!  "     And  yet  again 
To  that  which  he  has  left  his  friend! 

Enter  JOSEPHINE. 

I  do  regret,  Monsieur  Barras, 

To  have  kept  you  so  long  waiting! 

BARRAS. 

Pardon 

The  untimely  call !     The  affairs  of  State, 
In  these  most  busy  and  eventful  times, 
Demand  us  unawares. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Monsieur,  have  you 
Advice  from  Italy  !  % 


66  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  11. 

BARRAS. 

For  this  I  called — 

The  General,  through  his  brother  and  Junot, 
Sends  this  to  you ;  they  to  no  other  hands 
Would  trust  it  than  my  own,  being  themselves 
Detained.     I  came  at  once  to  you,  and  beg, 
If  any  further  service  I  can  give,    [Hands  a  letter. 
You  will  be  pleased  the  happiness  to  grant 
Of  such  employment. 

JOSEPHINE.  ' 

I  am  most  grateful 

To  you,  Monsieur,  and  if  I  find  a  need 
Of  further  favors  from  such  a  friendship 
I  shall  be  free  to  acquaint  you  of  it. 

[Exit  BARRAS. 

Enter  AUGUSTA  and  HORTENSE. 

HORTENSE. 
Oh  mother!  more  letters? 

JOSEPHINE  (reading). 

"  My  Darling  best  of  Friends  : 

My  brother  will  hand  you  this  letter.  I  cherish 
for  him  the  most  intimate  friendship.  I  trust  he 
will  also  gain  your  affection.  He  deserves  it.  Na- 
ture has  gifted  him  with  a  tender  and  inexhaustibly 
good  character ;  he  is  full  of  rare  qualities. 

I  have  received  your  letters  of  the  21st.     You 


SCENE  L]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  67 

have  indeed  for  many  days  forgotten  to  write  to 
me.  What,  then,  are  you  doing  ?  Yes,  my  friend, 
I  am  not  exactly  jealous,  but  I  am  sometimes  un- 
easy. Hasten  then,  for  I  tell  you  beforehand  if 
you  delay  I  shall  be  sick.  &o  great  exertion,  com- 
bined with  your  absence,  is  too  much.  Your  letters 
are  the  joys  of  my  days,  and  niy  happy  days  are 
not  too  many. 

Junot  takes  to  Paris  twenty-two  standards.  You 
will  come  back  with  him,  will  you  not  ?  Misery 
without  remedy,  sorrow  without  comfort,  unmiti- 
gated anguish  will  be  my  portion,  if  it  is  my 
misfortune  to  see  him  come  back  alone,  my  own 
adored  wife!  He  will  breathe  at  your  shrine,  and 
perhaps  you  will  even  grant  him  the  special  and 
unsurpassed  privilege  of  kissing  your  cheek,  and  I 
will  be  far,  far  away !  You  will  come  here,  at  my 
side,  to  my  heart,  in  my  arms  !  Take  wings,  come ! 
come!  Yet  journey  slowly — the  road  is  long,  bad, 
fatiguing.  If  some  calamity  should  happen — if 

the  exertion Set  out  at  once,  my  beloved  one, 

but  travel  slowly.  • 

BONAPARTE." 

'Will  I  come  to  thee  ?     Ask  the  tender  flower 
If  it  will  turn  its  fair  face  to  the  sun 
For  life  and  strength  !  or  God's  sweet  choristers 
If  they  will  sing  in  praise  to  Him  who  gives 
The  bright  day  for  their  happiness ! — 
Even  as  the  soul  would  swiftly  take  its  flight 
Unto  the  source  of  its  supremest  ecstasy, 
I  come!  my  love,  I  come! 
— How  keen  the  edge  of  sweet  expectancy ! 


68  *  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  n. 

And  how  it  pricks  us  on  to  realize 

What  hope  holds  up  to  view!     Yet  how  often 

Do  we  in  possession  find  less  joy 

Than  in  the  dreaming  of  it  ere  'twas  ours! 

"Xo,  no,  'tis  not  true!  this  time  'twill  not  be  true." 

"We  say,  and  yet  how  seldom  does  it  fail! 

AUGUSTA. 

Then  if,  indeed,  most  happiness  exists 
In  that  expectancy  which  does  precede 
Reality,  let  us  employ  it  ere 
We  cheat  ourselves  of  both. 

Enter  EUGENE  (in  uniform}. 

AUGUSTA. 

Eugene!     (falling  in  his  arms} 
i 

JOSEPHINE. 

/ 
This  is  surprise  most  happy,  Eugene! 

How  long  since  you  left  Italy  ? 

EUGENE. 

I  came 

With  Joseph  Bonaparte,  Junot, 
And  an  escort,  that  did  the  trophies  bring 
Of  our  great  victories.     Your  letter  too. 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  69 

AUGUSTA. 

Eugene ! 

JOSEPHINE. 
How  fares  the  General  ? 

EUGENE. 

Did  lie  not 
Inform  you  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 

Oh  yes,  but  tell  me,  tell  me,  » 
Is  he  indeed  well  ?     For  he  ever  puts 

i  p 

On  everything  the  best  face  possible. 

EUGENE. 

/ 

He  was  in  perfect  health  on  my  departure. 
Traces  of  care  do  seem  to  line  his  face, 
Yet  these  but  lend  a  finer  dignity, 
If  such  be  possible.     Aside  from  this, 
And  that  he  has  some  stouter  grown,  he  is 
As  when  he  quitted  France.     He  bade  me  add 
The  fairest  words  I  knew  to  what  he  wrote  ; 
And  then  assure  you  all  was  but  a  tithe 
Of  that  rich  tribute  he  would  pay  to  you 
Were  words  more  eloquent. 


70  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  n. 

AUGUSTA. 

And  spake  he  not 
Of  me? 

EUGENE. 

After  remembrance  and  his  love, 
He  left  the  rest  to  me,  wherein  he  said 
You  would  find  more  delight.     To  sweet  Hortense, 
He  sent  an  hundred  kisses  and  this  ring; 
The  one  I  give  now,  and  the  others  will 
Before  I  go. 

JOSEPHINE. 

So  he  remembers  all! 
How  rich  is  he  in  every  tender  thought 
That  lends  to  manhood  the  fair  lustre 
Of  love's  constancy. 

Enter  a  PAGE. 
PAGE. 

Madame  Therese  de  Talien. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Say  that  I  attend  her.     Come,  Hortense! 

[Exit  JOSEPHINE  and  HORTEXSE. 

AUGUSTA. 
How  slowly  have  the  hours  dragged,  Eugene  ! 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephene.  71 

Yet  I  am  paid  for  all  a  thousand  times 
In  this  sweet  moment  on  your  breast. 

EUGENE. 

Have  you  forgot 

How  at  your  feet  I  used  to  sit,  the  while 

I  told,  in  fondest  words  I  knew,  my  love  ? 

And  held  up  fairest  pictures  of  the  life 

In  store  for  us?     What  castles  did  we  build! 

What  happy  visions  rose  before  us  then ! 

But  none  that  equalled  this  reality. 

There  was  one  look  sweeter  than  all  the  rest, 

You  gave  to  me  at  times.     It  was  a  look 

You  could  not  give  unto  another, 

For  your  very  soul  was  couched  in  it ! 

There !  there !     It  beams  up  to  me  now  ! 

O  my  darling! 

— How  that  one  look  has  nestled  in  my  heart 

Through  all  the  weary  hours  of  absence ! 

How  has  it  cheered  me  when  all  else  was  vain ! 

How,  like  a  light  from  heaven  let  down  to  me, 

Illumed  my  path,  and  as  a  beacon 

Brought  me  back  to  you! 


Speak  on,  that  I  may  hear  the  music 

Of  your  voice!     It  has  been  long,  so  long, 

Since  I  have  listened  to  it,  Love!     Speak  on! 


72  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  n. 

I  love  your  praise,  not  for  the  praise,  but  that 
It  tells  me  of  your  love !     Speak  on ! 

EUGENE. 

Your  very  beauty  robs  me  of  my  words! 

What  eloquence  could  rise  to  such  a  theme  ! 

Yet,  since  it  may  delight  you,  I  will  tell 

Of  a  most  lovely  scene  of  which  I  dreamed 

On  yesternight — 

A?  sunlit  vale 

Where  perfumed  grasses  were  all  interspersed 

With  flowers  rare  and  rich — sweet  mignonette, 

And  heliotrope,  innumerable 

Roses,  and  nameless  flowers  as  redolent ; 

And  there  were  little  bowers  of  jessamine, 

Whose  balmy  breath  is  but  less  sweet  than  that 

Wherein  your  kisses  nestle ; — all  these  did  freight 

Soft  zephyrs,  that  floated  through  the  glen 

And  circled  round  my  head  in  eddying  swirl. 

There  seemed  a  melody  of  song  to  rise 

From  grass  and  flower,  and  the  birds  caught  this 

And  carried  it  into  the  higher  measures 

Of  their  dulcet  strains  !     Then  it  did  echo 

Through  the  glen  until,  following  down 

The  fringes  of  the  stream  that  ran  just  through 

The  center  of  the  vale,  it  lost  itself 

Upon  the  boundless  sea. 

Here  and  there  were  quiet  little  nooks 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  73 

And  fair  retreats  'neath  denser  foliage 

In  every  hue  and  matchless  tint  of  green. 

And  some  old  trees,  staid  warders  of  the  vale, 

Were  rich  with  clambering  roses, 

Or  clematis,  that  graced  their  massive  trunks, 

Or  other  vines  luxuriant, 

That  sought  the  very  topmost  boughs  to  peep 

Out  first  in  loveliest  blossom  and  catch 

The  morning  glory  of  the  sun. 

Fair  clouds 

Were  ever  blushing  in  divinest  tints, 

Casting  the  softest  shadows  on  the  vale 

Beneath. 

And  but  one  charm  was  wanting 

AUGUSTA. 
And  that  ? 

EUGENE. 

Your  presence,  darling,  thea  'twould  nothing  lack 
Of  heaven  for  Eugene. 

\Re-enter  JOSEPHINE.] 

JOSEPHINE. 

Some  deep  design 

Is  working  now  against  us,  something  new ; 
Barras  is  at  the  bottom  of  't  again. 


74  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  n. 

EUGENE. 
What  have  you  learned?     Tis  well  that  I  am  here. 

JOSEPHINE. 
Yes>  for  we'll  have  a  trusty  messenger. 

EUGENE. 
Whatis't?     Impart! 

JOSEPHINE. 

A  scheme  is  now  on  foot, 
Laid  by  the  crafty  Barras  and  Gohier ; 
By  which  our  General  is  to  be  betrayed 
Into  the  hands  of  Beaulieu.     Botot 
Is  sent  a  secret  messenger  to-day 
To  help  dispatch  this  business. 

EUGENE. 

Of  whom 
And  by  what  means  is  all  this  known  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 
Our  friend,  Therese  de  Talien. 

EUGENE. 

But  how 
And  by  what  fortune  learned  she  this  ? 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  75 

JOSEPHINE. 

From  him, 

Le  Monsieur  himself,  o'er  whom  she  has 
An  absolute  control.     For  know,  he  is 
At  once  a_pliable  and  simple  fool 
In  presence  of  a  pretty  woman. 

EUGENE. 

x 

,Well,  then  he  can  be  useful  made  to  us, 
More  than  Barras  and  the  conspirators, 
For  we  have  the  most  witching  loveliness 
In  France. 

JOSEPHINE. 

A  pretty  compliment ! 
But  we  have  little  time  for  such  to-day. 

EUGENE. 
Are  others  implicated  in  the  plot? 

JOSEPHINE. 

Only  by  inference  ;  as  he  himself 
Is  not  committed  in  a  way  that  we 
Could  use  as  evidence. 

EUGENE. 

"We  will  mature 
Our  plans  and,  by  to-morrow,  after  him. 


76  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  n. 

AUGUSTA. 
But  why  such  haste  away  ?     Where  go  you  now  ? 

EUGENE. 

It  is  the  hour  when  the  Directory 

Will  be  surprised  with  what  we  did  bring  back 

From  Italy.     They  are  in  waiting  for  me. 

My  duty  done,  I  will  return  to  you. 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  SECOND. 

LUXEMBOURG.— THE  DIRECTORY. 

CARXOT,  BARRAS,  LAREVILLIERE  LEPEAUX,  REWBELL, 
LETOURNEUR. — SECRETARIES  and  SOLDIERS. — CARNOT 
presiding. 

Enter  a  COURTIEK. 

COURTIER. 

General  Joseph  Bonaparte,  Junot  and  Beauhar- 
nais,  with  tidings  from  the  seat  of  war  in  Italy. 

CARNOT. 

Immediately  admit  them. 

[Exit  COURTIER. 

[Enter  JOSEPH  BONAPARTE,  JUNOT,  EUGENE, 
followed  by  COURTIERS,  bearing  standards. 


SCENE  I.]         Napoleon  and  Josephine.  77 

JOSEPH  BONAPARTE. 

Citizen  President  and  Directors  : 

The  General  of  France  sends,  greeting  you, 

Trophies  of  victory  from  Italy, 

And  would  most  humbly  lay  them  at  your  feet 

As  at  the  shrine  of  France. 

CAENOT. 

Sends  he  report  ? 
We  wait  for  it  most  eagerly  ! 

JOSEPH  BONAPARTE. 

[Taking  banner  on 
which  was  inscribed  the  bulletin. 

He  has  indeed  great  victories  to  tell, 
And  on  our  flag  inscribes  this  bulletin  : 

(Reads  on  one  side.}  "  To  the  army  of  Italy, 
the  grateful  country." 

(Reads  on  other  .side.}  115,000  prisoners,  170 
standards,  550  pieces  of  battering  cannon,  600 
pieces  of  field  artillery,  5  bridge  equipages,  9  sixty- 
four  gun  ships,  12  thirty-two  gun  frigates,  12  cor- 
vettes, 18  galleys.  Armistice  with  the  King  of 
Sardinia,  Convention  with  Genoa,  Armistice  with 
the  Duke  of  Parrna,  Armistice  with  the  King  of 
Naples,  Armistice  with  the  Pope,  Preliminaries  of 
Leoben,  Convention  of  Montebello  with  the  Re- 


78  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  ir. 

public  of  Genoa,  Treaty  of  Peace  with  the  Empe- 
ror at  Campo  Formo,  Liberty  given  to  the  People 
of  Bologna,  Ferrara,  Modena,  Massa  Carrara,  La 
Komagna,  Lombardy,  Bressera,  Bornio,  The  Val- 
entiua,  The  Genoese,  The  Imperial  Fiefs,  the 
People  of  the  Departments  of  Coreigra,  of  the 
^Egean  Sea,  and  of  Ithaca.  Sent  to  Paris  all  the 
masterpieces  of  Michael  Angelo,  of  Genercino, 
of  Titian,  of  Paul  Veronese,  of  Corregio,  of  Albano 
of  Carracu,  of  Raphael  and  of  Leonardo  da  Vinci. 

During  the  reading  of  this  report,  CARNOT 
is  greatly  agitated.  As  the  report 
progresses,  all  rise  to  their  feet.  CAR- 
NOT  comes  down  from  his  chair.  Tear- 
ing the  clothes  from  his  breast,  he  dis- 
plays a  minature  of  NAPOLEON,  which 
he  had  concealed  there — holding  it  up 
to  JOSEPH  BONAPARTE. 

CARNOT. 

Tell  your  brother 

That  I  do  wear  him  next  unto  my  heart. 

(turns  to  Directors?) 

Go  fire  your  guns!     King  wildly  every  bell! 
Scream  with  the  fife!     Let  the  shrill  bugle  tell ; 
With  clang  of  steel,  and  the  unmuffled  drum, 
And  loud  huzzas,  that  victory  has  come! 


SCENE  i.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  79 

Fire,  fire  the  guns !     Let  deep-toned  thunder  roll 
Throughout  great  France,  filling  each  patriot  soul 
With  victory's  shouts  uprising  from  the  heart, — 
Vive  la  Republic !     Vive  le  Bonaparte ! 

ALL  (except  B  AREAS). 
Vive  la  Republic !     Vive  le  Bonaparte ! 

Shouting,  cannons,  bells  and  drums  without. 
Scene  changes  to  Paris,  illuminated. 

\_Curtain  falls. 

END   OF   ACT   II. 


80  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  in. 


ACT   III. 

SCENE  FIKST. 
MILAN. 

Drawing-room  of  the  Palace  of  Serbelloni.     BONA- 
PABTE  and  EUGENE  discovered  reading. 

BONAPARTE. 

Contemptible  ! 

That  this  should  be  permitted  is  most  strange ! 

It  surely  is  within  the  power 

Of  the  Directory  to  punish  this 

As  for  any  other  treasonable  words ; 

For  we  are  France,  no  less !  and  these  attacks, 

Against  us  personally,  are  no  less 

Than  against  our  France. 

EUGENE. 

Their  silence   proves 

The  sympathy  of  the  Directory 

With  your  worst  enemies  from  jealousy 

Of  you. 

BONAPAETE. 

And  yet  cannot  I  understand  why  they 
Should  be  so  blinded  to  the  interests 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  81 

Of  France,  nay  even  their  own  interests, 

Most  selfish,  as  to  let  this  jealousy 

Creep  in  and  so  despoil  them  in  a  night 

Of  all  the  vantage  they  might  borrow 

From   the  lustre  of  my  star.     They  cannot  think 

That  I  will  patiently  endure  this  long ! 

Do  they  not  realize  that  I  have  power 

To  crush  them,  each  and  all,  as  Avith  this  hand 

I  crush  this  evidence  of  spleen  most  foul  ? 

[Takes  up  another  journal. 

Here  's  language  bears  the  spirit  of  Barras, 
Unless  I  miss — 

These  are  his  words.     Can  it  be  possible 
That  he  should  such  a  peevish  bungler  be 
As  to  permit  peculiar  trick  of  speech 
To  thus  betray  him  in  the  public  print  ? — 
So — so — I  '11  have  a  closer  eye  on  you, 
Monsieur  Barras !- — I  never  trusted  him, 
Eugene,  you  know  I  never  trusted  him. 

EUGENE. 

And  in  despising  him,  I  now, 
As  ever,  find  a  keen  delight ! 

BONAPARTE. 

That  is  unworthy  of  you,  dear  Eugene ; 
Great  souls  do  not  descend  to  it.     Nor  this 
Nor  envy  ever  dwells  within  the  hearts 


82  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  in. 

Of  the  truly  great. — In  youth  't  is  pardoned, 
But  must  lie  outgrown. — These  wasps  may  sting  us, 
And  the  sling  may  itch — there's  poison  in  it — 
So  it  may  fret  the  skin,  but  that  is  all. 

[Reads. 

"He  keeps  the  plunder" — Rare  rhetoricians! 

To  what  do  they  refer  ? — "  He  does  affect 

A  heartless  despotism,  overrides 

All  law  " — This  is  abominable! 

To  "  affect!  "     To  "  affect  despotism!  "— 

What  masterly  envenomed  slander  this! 

I  like  the  knave  and  will  requite  him  for  't. 

— I  am  humiliated  when  I  know 

They  have  the  power  to  annoy  me  thus. 

Eugene,  itjsJji£so-&^/£  -things  that  fret 

And  so  disturb  us,  more  than  all  else 

In  the  vicissitudes  of  life.     Henceforth 

Let  us  look  above  and  far  beyond  them. 

Philosophy, 

This,  this  is  the  one  source  of  strength,  Eugene. 

Who  lives  the  butt  and  sport  of  daily  circumstance, 

Is  no  more  than  a  moth  in  sunbeam  basking, 

To  drift,  before  tlie  first  vagrant  zephyr, 

On  to  the  little  death  that  waits  him. 

But  he  who  can  despise,  or  grief  or  joy, 

With  will  indomitable,  pressing  on 

Unto  the  goal  of  his  ambition, 

Only  wins. 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  83 

Were  't  not  that  he  must  eat  and  sleep,  I  'd  say 
A  man  might  come  to  be  great. 

[Exit. 

Enter  JOSEPHINE. 

\ 
EUGENE. 

Mother, 

There  's  none  I  may  approach  but  you  in  this 

That  weighs  so  heavy  on  my  heart!     Pardon 

And  hear  me  : — For  years  I  have  admired, 

Nay,  loved — nay  more — adored,  Augusta  ! 

She  has  the  object  been  of  every  hope, 

Ambition,  prayer  !     Oh,  I  have  worshiped  her! 

My  highest  pleasure  was  alloyed  with  pain 

Unless  she  shared  it  with  me.     Greater  joys 

Were  quite  impossible  ;  I  could  riot  know 

A  happiness  without  her,  but  with  her 

Was  continual  ecstasy.     And  she, 

She  loved  me,  it  did  seem,  even  as  her  life. 

"Think  of  me  when  you  will,"  she  one  time  wrote, 

"  Of  you  I  am  ever  thinking,  darling, 

And  loving  you,  oh  very,  very  dearly! " 

Enough !     She  loved  me  then.     But  now,  no  more ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

This  confidence  I  do  appreciate — 

You  have  my  fullest  sympathy,  Eugene, 

But  may  I  know  the  cause  of  all  this  change  ? 


84  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  in. 

EUGENE. 

When  I  know.     I  have  been  too  fond,  I  think  ; 
I  shrined  her  goddess  in  my  heart,  and  she 
Would  soar  now  far  beyond  me.     I  but  pray 
That  from  her  airy  height  she  ne'er  may  fall. 

\ 
JOSEPHINE. 

Eugene ! 

Why  this  is  madness,  boy !     Come,  tell  me  all 

And  I  may  help  you. 

EUGENE. 

All,  all  is  lost! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Not  all,  Eugene.     You  have  your  mother  left, 
And  sweet  Hortense. 

EUGENE. 

Ah,  yes,  I  know,  I  know — 
I  love  you  very  dearly,  but  my  heart 
Did  worship  her!     It  knows  no  heaven  beyond. 
For  you  and  for  Hortense,  I'll  leave — a  name! 

JOSEPHINE. 

Eugene 

Speaks  like  himself  in  this.     And  yet  why  leave 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephene.  85 

A  name  ?     Why  not  share  your  honors  with  us  ? 
You  now  are  in  the  morning  of  your  life, 
And  glory  seems  already  hovering  close 
About  your  head.     Youjwill  be  great,  Eugene, 
And  good,  I  trust 

EUGENE. 

Shall  Love  step  out 

And  Greatness  enter  ?     Farewell  to  glory 
Were  easier  said  than  farewell  love ! 

One_is  of  earth,  the  other  infinite  ! 

JOSEPHINE. 

But  come,  you  have  not  yet  conveyed  to  me 
The  evidence  that  she  is  false  to  you. 
You  may  be  rash. 

EUGENE. 

Rash !     Hear  me  and  then  judge. 
Though  near  what  should  have  been  our  wedding- 
day, 

Berlin  has  held  rare  charms  for  her.     Her  absence 
Bore  full  heavily  upon  me,  for  I, 
It  seemed,  could  only  think  or  dream  of  her — 
With  her  how  different  the  sequel -shows. 
Though,  when  she  said  farewell,  she  wept 
Right  bitterly — she  must  have  loved  me  then  ! 
— At  first  her  letters  in  succession  came 


86  Napoleon  and  Josephine.        [ACT  in. 

[As  she  had  promised  them.     So  eloquent, 
|In  sweet  simplicity  of  love,  that  I 
/  Was  lifted  into  rapture.     Followed  then 
'  Less  frequent,  shorter, 

Till,  from  my  friends,  I  learned  that  she  had  been 
Attended  close  and  constant  by  Botot. 
To-day  she  did  return,  a  week  before 
I  did  expect  her,  and  with  this  Botot, 
Who  was  still  near  her  but  an  hour  ago — 
With  me  she  has  not  deigned  to  meet. 

*• 
JOSEPHINE. 

Eugene, 

I  think  that  I  do  understand  it  all — 

Wait  my  return  ! 

[.Exit  JOSEPHINE. 

EUGENE. 

She  almost  bade  me  hope,  when  there  is  no  hope! 
From  such  a  fall  as  this  we  may  not  rise. 
— A  brilliant  life  will,  haply,  shorter  be — 
E'en  as  a  falling  star,  whose  light  goes  out 
When  its  effulgence  most  attracts  our  view : 
So  shall  my  glory  through  vthiaJittle  world 
Blaze  like  a  meteor  in  the  firmament 
And  then  go  out  forever !     O  farewell ! 
Farewell,  Augusta!     Now  am  I  resolved! 


SCENE  i.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  87 

Re-enter  JOSEPHINE. 

This  did  I  find  in  waiting  for  you.       [Gives  letter. 

[Exit  JOSEPHINE. 

EUGENE  (reads). 

My  Dear  Eugene  : 

I  Lave  just  dismissed  Monsieur  Botot,  as  I  hnd 
no  further  use  for  him  ;  having  learned  all  that 
was  necessary  to  assist  Mme.  Bonaparte  in  her 
plans  to  save  the  General  from  a  plot  that  was  to 
deliver  him  in  person  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Inasmuch  as  I  have  dismissed  Monsieur  Botot 
rather  unceremoniously,  since  his  attentions  had 
become  annoying,  he  may  undertake  to  avenge 
himself  upon  you,  and  I  thought  it  best  to  acquaint 
you  at  once  with  the  situation.  This  will  somewhat 
explain  the  past  few  weeks,  and  my  sudden  return, 
till  I  can  see  you.  Do  not  keep  me  long  in  wait- 
ing, for,  after  our  separation,  and  t  the  labor  and 
excitement  consequent  upon  the  undertaking  that 
has  happily  terminated  well,  I  am  all  impatience  to 
meet  you. 

AUGUSTA. 

EUGENE. 

Can  you  ever  forgive  me? 

[Exit. 

Enter  OFFICER  and  REYNARD. 
REYNARD. 

Ah,  Mon  Dieu  !    Zis  vat  you  call  loafe,  make  ze 
fool  of  all. 


88  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT 'in. 

OFFICES. 

Yes,  'tis  said  the  greater  man  the  greater  fool  be- 
comes when  Love_ ensnares  him. 

REYNARD. 

You  know  Monsieur  Botot? 

OFFICER. 
No! 

REYNARD. 

He  'ave  ze  blonde  complexion,  ze  blue  eye,  and  ze 
Jjig  conceit  of  ze  self — he  is  ze  tool  of  Barras. 
I  'ave  glad  to  pique  him  vis  my  rappier  ! 

OFFICER. 
Why  is  he  permitted  to  go  ? 

REYNARD. 
Zat  ze  place  'ave  not  vun  of  more  dainjare. 

OFFICER. 
When  do  you  go  to  Paris  ? 

REYNARD. 
In  ze  morrow. 


SCENE  i.]         Napoleon  arid  Josephine.  89 

OFFICER. 
You  are  a  lucky  fellow. 

REYNARD. 

I  vill  'ave  some  dainjare — Barras  'ave  great  pow- 
air,  and  I  am  ze  spy,  ze  leetle  fox  to  vatch  liim. 

OFFICER. 

To  whom  do  you  report  ? 

REYNARD. 

Ze  General,  la  Madame  Bonaparte,  ou  la  Princess 
Augusta.  Zejyun  vere  I  'ave  not  mooche  troobal. 

OFFICER. 

You  have  already  been  of  great  service. 

REYNARD. 
Ze  General  vas  pleased  to  recompense  me. 

OFFICER. 
If  you  succeed  you  will  receive  high  honors. 

REYNARD. 

If  I  tomb  it  vill  be  in  ze  service  of  my  General 
and  La  Belle  France.  I  'ave  not  ze  fear  to  die. 
Ze  powaire  zat  support  ze  General  vill  protec'  ze 
General's  soldaire.  I  'ave  not  ze  fear  to  die.  By 
Gar!  I  vas  like  iQ pique  ze  Barras  vis  my  rappier! 

\_Exeunt. 


90  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  IIT. 

SCENE  SECOND. 

PALACE  OF  SEIiBELLOXI. 

This  scene  is  a  large  salon,  divided  into  three 
rooms  hy  marble  columns.  In  room  farthest 
lack,  a  party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  In 
middle  room,  JOSEPHINE  and  party  of  ladies. 
In  front  room  BONAPARTE,  EUGENE,  AUGEKEAU, 
and  other  gentlemen,  in  conversation. 

BOXAPARTE. 

The  Duke  of  Parma  is  unfortunate, 

But  le&,  where  now  he  is,  will  do  no  harm, 

And  will  no  doubt  serve  well  our  purpose, 

Carrying  our  every  order  to  its  end.   • 

But,  cut  him  off 

And  give  his  Dukedom  to  another, 

And  he  will  ever  stir  up  strife  and  institute 

Fresh  intrigues.     Here  he  can  be  useful  made, 

But  elsewhere  only  hurtful. 

AUGEREAU. 

But  he  is  a  Bourbon,  General, 
A  Bourbon ! 

BONAPARTE. 
Well,  then,  lie  is  a  Bourbon — 


SCENE  ii.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  91 

Has  nature  therefore  made  him  less  for  it? 

Because  three  Bourbons  have  been  killed  in  France, 

Follows  it  that  we  must  hunt  the  others  down  ! 

Proscriptions  falling  thus  upon  a  name, 

A  family,  an  entire  class, 

I  never  did  and  never  will  approve. 

Cans't  punish  France  for  the  crimes 

Of  the  Sans  Culottes  f     You  say  the  Bourbons 

Are  the  enemies  of  freedom ;  they  were  led 

To  the  guillotine  under  a  right 

Which  I  do  not  acknowledge. 

Enter  ORIANI,  the  astronomer,  attended  by  Courtier. 

COUKTIEH. 
The  Proffesseur  Oriani. 

BONAPARTE. 

We  are  indeed  most  happy,  Professor, 
That  you  do  make  one  of  our  guests  to-day. 

OEIANI. 

Ah,  General,  this  magnificence 

With  which  you  are  surrounded,  dazzles  me. 

BONAPAKTE. 

Can  it  be  such  miserable  splendors  blind 
A  man  who  every  night  does  contemplate 


92  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  in. 

The  far  more  lofty  and  impressive  glories 
Of  the  skies? 

[Conducts  him  to  Id  room  and  returns. 
Even  Science  bends  before  me.  Aside.'] 

Enter  MANFREDINI  (attended  by  courtier). 

COURTIER. 

Le  Marquis  Manfredini, 

Ambassador  of  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany. 

BONAPARTE. 
And  can  we  serve  your  Grand  Duke  ? 

MANFREDINI. 

Humbly  our  Grand  Duke  bows  before 

The  greatest  conqueror  of  Italy, 

The  General,  most  excellent,  of  France! 

A  fervent  friendship  sends  he,  greeting  him, 

And  in  sincerity  will  ever  pray 

He  may  find  no  less  fame  throughout  the  world 

Than  he  already  has  so  nobly  won 

In  Italy.     Unto  his  sweet  lady 

,He  would  his  homage  pay  as  at  the  shrino 

Of  every  heavenly  virtue — 

Only  regretting  that  affairs  of  state 

Make  his  own  presence  here  impossible. 

Yet,  through  ITis  ambassador,  he  begs 


SCENE  ii.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  93 

You  will  your  pleasure  now  convey  to  him 
Regarding  Tuscany. 

For,  though  great  confidence  he  entertains 
In  every  good  and  noble  quality 
Of  General  Bonaparte,  yet  before  power 
There  is  always  fear  in  breasts  of  those 
i     Who  stand  so  far  beneath. 

He  would  assurance,  therefore  humbly  crave, 
Of  your  good  will. 

BONAPARTE. 

Signer  Marquis : 

You  remind  me  of  a  certain  creditor 

Who  once  did  importune,  in  modest  phrase, 

Coupled  with  flattery  and  confidence, 

The  Cardinal  de  Rohan,  "  when  he  would  , 

Be  kind  enough  to  pay  him  ?  "     "  My  dear  sir," 

Said  the  Cardinal,  "  I  pray  you  do  not  be 

So  very  curious  ! " 

[Escorts  him  to  second  room — returns. 
Have  given  out  that  we  transact  no  more 
Of  business  to-day!  \_To  Eugene. 

EUGENE. 

The  Ambassadors  of  Venice  wait  without. 

BONAPARTE. 

Say  that  to  Venice  I  will  be  an  Atilla! 

\_Goes  to  second  room. 


94  'Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  in. 

Now  favor  us  with  a  sweet  native  air 

~\ 

Of  Martinique!  \_To  Josephine. 

JOSEPHINE. 

First,  pardon  me,  the  great  artist,  LeGros, 
Has  been  in  waiting  long,  for  my  command 
And  your  good  pleasure,  for  a  sitting — 
Would  you  compel  us  to  wait  longer  Mon  Ami  ? 

[All  retire  to  second  room  but  JOSEPHIXE 
and  BONAPARTE. 

BONAPAETE. 

For  so  great  folly  I  have  not  the  time — 
No,  no!     Another  day. 

JOSEPHINE. 

But  you  will  not 
Refuse  a  seat  by  my  side  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

Ah,  no!     Never! 
\He  sits.     JOSEPHINE  beckons  LEGROS. 

Enter  LE  GROS. 

[He  commences  the  portrait. 

BONAPARTE. 

Excellent  strategy !     But  I  will  not 
Endure  it  long. 


SCENE  ii. J       Napoleon  and  Josephene.  95 

JOSEPHINE. 

Monsieur,  would  you  surrender 
Your  position  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

No,  this  artist's  torment. 

JOSEPHINE. 
But  if  I  should  command  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

I  must  obey. 

JOSEPHINE. 
A  fair  reply !  so  I  release  you. 

BONAPARTE. 
I  'd  rather  face  a  cannon's  mouth.  [.Rises. 

JOSEPHINE. 

To-morrow,  good  Le  Gros,  another  sitting. 

[Exit  LE  GROS. 

Enter  a  COURTIER. 

COURTIER. 
The  Princess  Augusta. 

BONAPARTE. 

Attend  her! 

{Exit  COURTIER. 


96  Napoleon  and  Josephine.        [ACT  in. 

Enter  AUGUSTA  (attended}. 
[COURTIER  goes  to  EUGENE  in  2d  room. 
COURTIER. 

The  Princess  Augusta  awaits  you. 

[Returns  with  EUGENE.     Exit  COURTIER. 
i 

AUGUSTA. 

Was  never  treason  yet  more  base 
Than  that  I  now  reveal  to  you  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

Impart. 

AUGUSTA. 

The  plot  was  better  laid  than  did  appear 
At  first,  and  is  in  detail  somewhat  changed 
Since  our  intelligence  in  France;  Botot 
Is  superseded  now  by  one  who  is 
More  crafty,  dangerous,  by  far. 

BONAPARTE. 

Indeed ! 
How  far  have  they  progressed  ? 

AUGUSTA. 

Not  yet  so  far, 
Thanks  once  again  to  Monsieur  Botot. 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  97 

Or  rather  to  his  weakness,  but-  they  may 
Be  easy  taken  in  it. 

JOSEPHINE. 

Nay,  we  should  say 
Thanks  to  the  Princess  Augusta. 

AUGUSTA. 

But  most 
Is  due  to  Madame  Bonaparte. 

BONAPAKTE. 

We  are 

Indebted  to  you  both  beyond  all  words. 

JOSEPHINE. 

No,  not  indebted,  for  there  is  no  debt 
When  what  we  do  is  but  for  those  we  love ! 
Love  only  proves  itself  when  it  has  reached 
The  last  extremity  for  whom  it  loves, 
And  but  receives  its  own  when  all  is  done 
That  may  be  possible. 
— We  did  succeed  in  sending  the  despatch. 

\_To  Augusta. 

AUGUSTA. 

Your  messenger  was  apprehended,  ta'en. 
No  time  must  now  be  lost. 


98  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  in. 

BONAPARTE. 

They  have  not  power — 

No,  not  were  all  the  world  in  league  with  them — 
To  harm  us.     FATE  sits  supreme  o'er  all! 
She  will  protect  her  son. 

[  To  Eugene.  Please  call  a  Courtier. 

.    [Exit  EUGENE. 

Re-enter  EUGENE,  with  COURTIER. 
\ 

[To  Courtier •.]     My  secretaries! 

[Exit  COURTIER. 
Re-enter  COURTIER,  with  three  Secretaries. 

[Exit  COURTIER. 

[To  1st  SecJ]     Citizen  Directors : 

I  owe  you  an  open  confession ;  my  heart  is  de- 
pressed and  filled  with  horror  through  the  constant 
attacks  of  the  Parisian  journals. 

[To  2d  Sec.~]     General  Moreau  : 
Arrest  at  once  Monsieur  Botot  and  send  to  these 
headquarters. 

[To  \st  /SecJ]  Sold  to  the  enemies  of  the  repub- 
lic ;  they  rush  upon  me,  who  am  boldly  defending 
the  republic. 

[To  3d  /SecJ]     General  Joubert : 

Your  presence  is  needed  at  these  headquarters. 


SCENE  IT.]       Napoleon  and  Josephine.  99 

[ To  1st  See.~\  I  am  "  keeping  the  plunder " 
whilst  I  ain  defeating  them  ;  I  "  affect  despotism," 
whilst  I  speak  only  as  General-in-chief ;  I  "  assume 
supreme  power,"  and  yet  I  submit  to  law! 
Every  thing  I  do  is  turned  to  crime  against  me; 
the  poison  streams  over  me. 

\_To  2d  Sec.~\  Let  him  be  attended  closely  but 
let  no  violence  or  insult  be  offered  him. 

[To  1st  Sec.~\  Were  any  one  in  Italy  to  dare 
give  utterance  to  the  one-thousandth  part  of  these 
calumnies,  I  would  impose  upon  him  an  awful 
silence. 

[  To  3d  Sec.']  Set  out  at  once,  and  travel  with 
all  possible  haste. 

\_To  1st  /SecJ]  In  Paris,  this  is  allowed  to  go  on 
unpunished,  and  your  tolerance  is  an  encourage- 
ment. The  Directory  is  thus  producing  the  im- 
pression that  it  is  opposed  to  me.  If  the  Directors 
suspect  me,  let  them  say  so,  and  I  will  justify  my- 
self. If  they  are  convinced  of  my  uprightness  let 
them  defend  me. 

\_To  2dSec.~\     Treat  him  indeed  right  civilly. 

BONAPARTE. 

[To  1st  Sec. ,]  In  this  circle  of  argument,  I  in- 
clude the  Directory  with  me,  and  cannot  go  beyond 


100  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  in. 

it.  My  desire  is  to  be  useful  to  my  country.  Must 
I  for  reward  drink  the  cup  of  poison  ? 

\_To  3d  Sec.~]  BONAPARTE. 

\_To  2d  Sec.']     General  Moreau  : 

Arrest  at  once  and  hold  in 

close  confinement  the  friend  of  Botot,  who  re- 
cently arrived  with  him  from  France,  wearing  a 
colonel's  uniform. 

[To  Augusta.']     Of  infantry  ? 

AUGUSTA. 

Of  infantry. 

BONAPARTE. 
[To  2d  Sec.']  Of  infantry. 

[To  \st  Sec^]  I  can  no  longer  be  satisfied  with 
empty,  evasive  arguments  ;  and  if  justice  is  not 
done  to  me,  then  I  must  take  it  myself. 

\_To  3d  Sec.~]     General  Marmont: 

Arrest  at  once  the  Abbe 
Sergi,  and  send  to  these  headquarters. 

BONAPARTE. 

[To  2d  Sec.]  BONAPARTE. 

[To  3d  Sec.~]     General  Moreau : 

Let  no  movement  of 

General  Pichegru  be  unknown  to  you.  He  is  plot- 
ting with  the  Bourbons. 

BONAPARTE. 


SCENE  ii.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  101 

[To  1st  Sec.']     Therefore  I  am  yours.    Salutation 
and  brotherly  love. 

BONAPARTE. 

[To  Eugene^\     See  that  these  despatches  are  sent 

at  once! 
This  artifice 

That  instigates  employment  of  assassins — 
Let  them  do  their  worst!     Yet  we  defv  them! 

V 

Enter  a  COURTIER. 

COURTIER. 
The  Count  von  Coblentz. 

BONAPARTE. 

Admit  him! 

Enter  the  COUNT  VON  COBLENTZ. 
How  now,  another  embassy  ? 
I  am  tired  of  this  vacillation, 
Heartily!     In  fourteen  days  will  I  dash 
The  Austrian  monarchy  to  pieces 
As  I  now  break  this. 

(Dashes  cup  to  floor. 

[To  Eugene^\     Say  to  the  Archduke  Charles, 
In  the  name  of  General  Bonaparte 
All  peace  is  at  an  end ! 


102  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  in. 

COBLENTZ.  (Falling  to  his  knees. 
Mercy!  Mercy! 

BONAPARTE. 

Ah !     Is  Austria  at  my  feet  ? 
There  may  she  rest  in  peace ! 

\_Curtain  falls. 


OF  ACT  ni. 


Napoleon  and  Josephine.  103 


ACT    IV. 

SCENE  FIRST. 

PAEIS. 

Drawing-room  of  Compt  de  BARRAS  —  BARRAS  discov- 
ered sitting  at  table,  rings.  Several  female  pages 
answer. 

BARRAS. 

Perdition  catch  my  soul, 

But  you  are  beautiful !     And  yet  have  I 

Xo  time  for  you  to-day,  my  merry  birds ! 

(Exeunt  Pages. 
Stay,  Stay,  Marie  !     I  had  forgot  my  wine. 

(Marie  brings  wine.     Exit. 
Bonaparte  is  yet  far  in  advance, 
In  spite  of  me  and  mine.     He  marches  on 
As  though  the  world  were  his.    With  cunning  spies, 
Sent  to  his  very  camp,  I  have  beset  him, 
And  yet  no  clue  with  which  to  humble  him. 
I  strike  him  through  the  journals,  strike  him  hard  ! 
And  Gohier  helps  me  to  trump  up  what  lies 
We  think  will  be  believed,  but  no  avail. 


104  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

And  as  his  victories  come  heralded 

I  intercept  reports  to  temper  them  ; 

And   yet,   by  some   means,  truth  will  leak,  and 

through 

The  streets  no  sound  is  heard  but  that  same  damned 
Inexorable  worn  out  yell 
"  Vive  le  Bonaparte  !" 

By  Jove !  'fore  this  "  Achilles"  we  have  proved 
But  puny  Trojans. 

Enter — GOHIEK  and  MOULINS. 

( Cries  without  of  "  Vive  le  Bonaparte  !  "  etc.} 

What  means  this,  Gohier!     Are  the  people  mad? 

GOHIEK. 

The  streets  e'en  now  throng  with  the  multitude, 
Splitting  their  lungs  with  "  Vive  le  Bonaparte ! " 
And  yet 't  is  scarce  an  hour  since  his  coming. 

MOULINS. 

He  will  be  troublesome ; — His  Montebello 
Has  not  left  an  impress  easily  removed. 
Dam-me,  but  they  made  a  king  of  him, 
And  to  his  wife  more  princely  homage  gave 
Than  she  should  have  as  Empress  of  the  French. 

GOHIEK. 

And  Venice  wrought  herself  to  such  ado 
As  he  had  been  an  emperor. 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  105 

BARRAS. 

\_0ffering  filled  glasses. 
How  comes  it  that  he  does  so  soon  arrive  ? 

GOHIEK. 

'*•      You  know  he  ever  unexpected  comes- 

'T  is  thus  he  wins  his  victories. 

i 

MOULINS. 

He  '11  have  a  victory  here  to  win,  or  we. 

BARRAS. 

Well  said,  Monsieur  Moulins  ! 
Nor  can  we  long  delay.     This  blazing  brand 
Of  glory  he  has  snatched  fires  all  hearts, 
And  will  illume  the  world  unless  put  out. 
Saw  you  his  letter  citing  us  our  duty 
Respecting  the  late  journals  that  some  truths 
Do  tell  of  him  ?     I  think  he  'd  dictate  terms 
To  Heaven  for  his  own  reception. 

GOHIEK. 

And  undertake  a  battle  with  the  hosts 

Of  Michael  an'  they  did  not  cry  "  vive  !  vive  !" 

I  heard  of  this  great  document,  and  think 

It  is  damned  impudent,  to  put  it  mildly. 

— I  understand  his  next  great  field  of  fame 

Is  Egypt. 


106  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

BARE  AS  and  MOULIXS. 

Egypt? 

GOHTER. 

Longs  to  carve  his  name 
On  the  great  pyramids  ! 

BARRAS. 
We'll  let  him  carve  ! 

MOULINS. 

Yes,  we  will  let  him  carve. 

BARRAS. 

Monsieur  Gohier,  'tis  the  right  place  for  him. 
Art  sure  he  has  this  new  ambition  ? 

GOHIER. 
That  he  has  so  expressed  it,  I  am  sure. 

BARRAS. 

What  say  you?  We  will  take  him  at  his  word, 

Before  to  repent  the  thought  is  left  him. 

And  if  he  meet  successes  in  the  East 

As  he  has  done  in  Italy,  I'll  say 

He  can  have  France.  Egypt!  Ha!  ha !  ha !  Egypt — 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephene.  107 

A  health  to  the  campaign  in  Egypt ! 

ALL  (drinking.) 
E-g-y-p-t! 

BARRAS. 

But  we  must  make  some  demonstration 
To  receive  him  now,  or  the  good  people 
Will  suspect  us. 

GOHIER. 

Yes,  he  must  be  received 
By  the  Directory,  and  publicly. 

BARRAS. 

Was 't  not  enough 

That  all  the  most  high  potentates, 

Whereunto  he  did  come,  should  do  him  homage? 

Nay,  seek  him  where  he  graciously  permitted  ? 

Gods!  they  did  squander  gold  in  heaps 

Upon  the  palace  Serbelloni! 

It  was  a  rival  for  the  Tuileries ! 

All  Italy 

And  the  nobility  of  Lombardy 

Vied  with  each  other  who  should  humblest  be — 

Even  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany, 

Brother  of  the  Emperor. 

Then  followed  Montebello  in  the  train, 

Seeking  to  overtop  all  rivalry ! 


108  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv 

And  Venice,  to  appease  him,  made  his  wife 
A  veritable  queen!     Jove,  what  magnificence! 
I  wonder  they  made  not  a  bonfire 
Of  their  town,  for  her! — Now,  he  to  Paris  comes, 
Borne  as  world's  conqueror  amidst  a  sea 
Of  crazy-witted  fools,  whose  rotten  breaths 
Join  in  acclaim  that  rolls  in  mighty  waves 
Before  him!     And  we  his  way  with  roses 
Needs  must  strew,  else  lose  our  place — perchance 
Our  heads. 

MOULINS. 
If  we  lose  not  our  heads,  at  best — 

BARRAS. 

What !     Fear  you  ?     We  will  trip  him  yet — 
Look  you!  we  will  now  give  him  such  applause 
As  circumstances  may  demand,  and  / 
Will  receive  him — embrace  him  if  need  be, 
That  they  may  see  how  we  do  love  him, 
And  then  in  Egypt  offer  him  a  field 
Where  he  shall  carve  unto  his  soul's  content. 
But  if  he  do  return  as  now  he  comes 
He  other  wits  must  thank  than  Barras'  for  't. 

GOHIER. 

Well  said,  good  Barras.     Now,  by  my  soul ! 
This  smacks  of  glorious  enterprise  ! 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  109 

A  health  to  Egypt  and  the  Pyramids! 

Where  we'll  provide  for  this  "Prince  Bonaparte" 

An  Eastern  Empire — six  feet  by  two ! 

\_They  drink. 
BARRAS. 

There's  little  interest  for  us  without ; 
Tarry,  and  we  will  test  the  strength  of  this 
More  thoroughly. 

Enter — A  PAGE. 
PAGE. 

General  Bonaparte  and  Eugene  de  Beauharnias. 

Enter  BONAPARTE  and  EUGENE. 

[Exit  Page. 

BONAPARTE. 
How  now?     Have  we  surprised  you,  gentlemen ? 

BARRAS. 
An  honor  that  we  do  appreciate. 

GOHIER  and  MOULINS. 
Yes— 

BARRAS. 
Your  absence  wore  right  heavily — 


110  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

MOULINS. 

Yes— 

GOHIER. 

We  did  regret  your  quick  departure — 

MOULINS. 
Yes— 

BONAPARTE. 

Peace ! 

Have  done  this  shallow-pated  stuff ! 

BARRAS. 

"\Ye  wait 
The  pleasure  of  our  guests! 

BONAPARTE. 

Nay,  upon  that 
I  am  not  sensitive.     Necessity 
Is  law,  and  courtesy  demands  no  more 
Than  this ;  or,  if  it  does,  will  e'er  be  found 
A  weak  competitor.     Touching  the  matter 
For  our  consideration  for  to-night, 
Can  Monsieur  Barras,  or  his  friend  Gohier, 
Or  yet  Moulins,  inform  us  as  to  what 
The  business  was  of  Monsieur  Botot 
In  Italy,  by  whom  sent,  paid  by  whom  ? 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  Ill 

BARRAS. 
You  are  beyond  me,  General. 

BONAPARTE. 

No  doubt! 

GOHIER. 
And  me. 

MOULINS. 
And  me. 

BONAPARTE. 

Beyond  you  all,  no  doubt ! 
But  come,  to  the  purpose ! 

BARRAS. 

To  what  purpose  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

To  no  purpose,  it  would  appear,  unless 

You  are  more  direct.     Come  now,  the  question! 

BARRAS. 
What  question  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

Touching  Monsieur  Botot. 


112  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

BARRAS. 

Ah,  since  you  have  reminded  me,  I  think, 
The  Government  did  send  Monsieur  Botot 
Upon  some  secret  service. 

MOULINS. 

Yes,  you're  right. 

BONAPARTE. 
The  Government  ?    What  department  of  it  ? 

BARRAS. 
What  else  than  the  Directory  ? 

BONAPARTE. 

Indeed ! 
What  members  of  it?     Come,  impart! 

BARRAS. 

We  do  not  catch  your  meaning. 

/ 

V     % 

BONAPARTE. 

Nor  catch  you  me ! 

Your  memory  is  torpid,  'twould  appear! 
Now  this  is  something  quite  remarkable! 
Perhaps,  then,  one  of  you  may  be  prepared 
To  explain  why  your  Monsieur  Barras, 


SCENE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  113 

But  two  short  (lavs  as;o,  had  business 

«/  d?     * 

In  secret  council  with  a  Chouan  chief, 

Whom  he  did  entertain  right  royally, 

As  more  befits  a  prince. 

Or  if  your  ignorance  in  this  should  prove 

As  in  the  matter  of  Monsieur  Botot — 

Since  ignorance  becomes  proverbial 

Sometimes,  and  follows  in  unbroken  chain, 

As  doth  the  matter  called  in  evidence — 

You  may  refresh  your  minds  with  this  and  this, 

And  tell  me  what  you  think  would  be  the  fate — 

Should  be  the  fate — of  those  intriguers  base 

Who  offered  to  betray  their  General — 

The  General  of  France — and  give  him  o'er 

To  Beaulieu  ? 

BARRAS. 

Would  you  hold  us  for  these  reports 
Made  by  our  enemies  and  yours  ?     Of  this 

Of  which  you  speak  we  are  most  innocent. 
i 

BONAPARTE. 

Speak  you  for  all  ? — So,  I  understand  you. 
— The  secret  service  of  Monsieur  Botot, 
And  other  secret  service  of 'like  nature, 
Are  known  as  well  to  me  as  the  base  hearts 
Who  did  employ  in  it.     The  potent  means 
By  which  I  have  been  thoroughly  informed, 


114  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

Tell  me  of  secret  conclaves,  dark  designs, 
And  weak  schemes  numberless,  to  overthrow 
My  power,  yet  all  have  fallen  harmless, 
As  all  must  fall  who  are  opposed  to  me. 

BAERAS. 

What  we  could  do  we  have  done  to  expose 
These  villainies. 

GOHIER, 

Yes,  we  have  done  our  best 
To  circumvent  them,  here  and  everywhere. 

MOULINS. 
Indeed  we  have,  you  are  quite  right,  we  have. 


Can  it  be  possible?     Why  Beauharnais, 
Look  you  upon  these  men  !     Duplicity 
Ne'er vhad  a  name  till  now!  oh  precious  knaves ! 
But,  see !  their  faces  like  as  ours  do  bear 
The  stamp  of  immortality  !     How  calm! 
Was  ever  innocence  protected 
By  more  placid  mien  ?     Yet  are  these  the  same, 
The  self  same  traitors,  .who  sat  in  council, 
Less  than  an  hour  asro  to  ruin  me. 

V_J 

This  is  that  same  Barras  who  would  embrace 
And  fawn  upon  me  when  I  did  return  ! 
And  these,  his  creatures,  weak  and  pliable. 


SCENE  I.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  115 

BARRAS. 

Beware !     The  voice  of  the  Directory — 
The  great  Directory  of  France — does  rest 
In  those  you  have  accused — Look  well  to  it! 

BONAPARTE. 

What !     Threat  you  me  before  my  very  face  ? 
Why,  here  is  now  assurance  worth  a  cause  ! 
"  Beware ! "    Ye  gods  !     What  impudence ! 
"  Beware !"     Why,  Beauharnais,  this  is  a  feast 
Beyond  comparison ! 

When  'neath  the  shadow  of  the  Pyramids 
We'll  have  this  to  refresh  us,  this  "  Beware  !" 

BARRAS. 
We've  had  enough  of  this  ! 

EUGENE. 

That's  easy  proved — [draws. 

[BARRAS  draws. 

BONAPARTE.  \_To  Eugene. 

What! 

When  did  you  fall  so  low  that  you  would  put 

Yourself  against  such  rotten  carrion? 

Austria  would  refuse  to  cross  your  sword 

AVearing  such  blood  upon  it ! 

Hear  we  now  (to  Directors), 


116  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

— Ye  miserable  hangers-on  of  time! 

Ye  would-be  arch  conspirators, 

But  that  ye  lack  conception  for  it. — 

The  affairs  of  State,  or  \Yar's  swift  enterprise, 

Wherein  fair  genius  and  the  strongest  wins, 

I  leave  you  as  before.     Malign  as  you  will ; 

Join  all  the  arts  of  Mephistopheles 

Unto  your  own,  lo !  I  defy  you  ! 

'Tis  not  within  the  power  of  man  to  harm  me ! 

But  hark  ye  now  ! 

There  is  one  point  where  I  am  vulnerable; 

This  has  been    touched   by  your  vile,   slanderous 

tongues  ! 

For  other  cause,  with  this  surprise,  ye  never 
Had  been  honored. 
I  use  few  words,  you  know  me! — 
If  I  do  trace  to  you  another  word,  a  look, 
Orv  aught  that  shall  in  any  way  reflect 
Upon  the  fair  name  of  my  family, 
Now  hear ! — 

By  the  great  God,  I  swear,  I'll  visit  you 
With  vengeance  swift  as  my  wrath  ! 
So  farewell ! 

(Exit  EUGENE  and  BONAPAKTE. 

BARRAS. 

Can  Carbon  and  St.  Rejeant 
Be  ready  within  the  hour  ? 


SCENE  ii.]       Napoleon  and  Josephene.  117 

GOHIEK. 

Let  us  confer 
With  them. 

BAKRAS. 


By  every  god  I  swear  I  will  not  sleep 
Till  he  is  done  for. 


[Exeunt. 


SCENE  SECOND. 

„      A    STREET    IN    PARIS. 
BARRAS  and  GOHIER  discovered. 

BARRAS. 
Is  all  ready  ? 

GOHIER. 
Waiting  but  his  coming. 

BARRAS. 

Then  shall  we  see 

If  that  his  goddess  will  protect  him  now. 
Carbon  and  St.  Rejeant,  are  they  paid  ? 

GOHIER. 
Not  till  the  work  is  done. 


118  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

BAEEAS. 

That  is  well  thought ! 
Who  will  apply  the  fuse  ? 

GOHIEE, 

St.  Rejeant's  self. 

BAERAS. 
The  place? 

GOHIEE. 

The  Eue  St.  Nicaise. 

BAEEAS. 

Can  they  fail  ? 
GOHIEE. 

I  hardly  think  it  possible,  as  they — 
Carbon  and  Limoelan — will  watch 
The  progress  of  the  Consul's  carriage 
As  it  shall  leave  the  Tuileries,  until 
The  time  to  give  the  signal  to  St.  Kejeant. 

BAEEAS. 

Let  us  be  gone  !     The  hour  approaches! 

We  must  not  be  seen. 

[Exeunt. 

[As  they  go  off  a  rumbling  noise  is  heard 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  119 

followed  by  the  appearance  of  the  guard 
and  carriage  of  BONAPARTE. —  The 
scene  then  changes  to  the  Rue  St.  Ni- 
caise,  where  a  cart  is  discovered  with 
the  infernal  machine  in  it;  a  little 
girl  holding  tjie  horse,  and  ST.  RE- 
JEANT  off  at  one  side. —  The  carriage 
passes — after  which  an  explosion. — 
Scene  changes  back  ;  carriage  passing 
safely  away. 

GOHIER. 

He  did  escape  us. 

BARRAS. 

But  all  the  powers  of  hell  shall  not  save  him! 
God!  how  his  words  do  rankle  yet  in  me! 
Now  to  our  wits  and  the  new  enterprise — 
We  '11  find  no  time  for  napping  from  this  out. 
Monsieur  Gohier,  art  certain  of  your  chief  ? 
These  Chouans  are  as  unreliable 
As  desperate. 

GOHIER. 

Fear  not!     I  know  my  man. 
Besides  our  gold,  he's  wedded  to  our  cause 
By  an  old  grudge  against  the  General. 
Such  men  forget  offences  only  when 


120  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

They  are  revenged.     Seemed  he  not  ready 
When  you  spoke  to  him? 

BAEEAS. 

Too  much  so,  I  thought. 
The  fellow  had  his  plans  all  quite  matured ; 
He  was  too  zealous.     Plans  so  well  defined 
Suggested  to  my  mind  a  counter  plot, 
Having  its  origin  in  subtler  brains. 

GOHIEE. 

Oh,  never  fear,  I  know  him  well! 

You  must  in  this  my  better  judgment  trust. 

He  will  requite  us  all. 

BAEEAS. 

Why,  he  did  know 

The  very  day  on  which  our  Georges  came  ! 
And  Biville  cliff  was  as  well  known  to  him 
As  my  chateau  to  me. 

GOHIEE. 

Most  certain   'tis, 
And  every  dangerous  path 
Between  Dieppe  and  Treport  he  knows  as  well. 

BAEEAS. 
He  saw  the  very  cable  from  the  cliff, 


SCENE  ii.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  121 

Descending  through  the  cleft  unto  the  sea; 
Saw  Georges  seize  it,  and  then,  by  its  aid 
Climb  up  the  precipice.     Then,  in  their  turn, 
Each  of  his  followers. 

GOHIER. 

Why  should  he  not  ? 

Since  he  of  that  same  passage  has,  for  years, 
Been  a  most  constant  warder. 

BARRAS. 

Can  it  be  ? 
Why  did  you  not  impart  all  this  before  ? 

GOHIER. 

Matters  of  graver  moment  took  its  place. 
What  says  the  General  Pichegru 
Touching  Moreau  ? 

BARRAS. 

He  finds  him  more  ready 
Than  pliable. 

GOHIER. 

I  do  not  understand. 

BARRAS. 
Moreau  shuffles,  cuts  and  deals  for  Moreau. 


122  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

GOHIER. 
What,  stands  lie  not  with  us  ? 

BARRAS. 

Only  so  far 

As  we  do  stand  with  him.     In  his  own  glass, 
Fondly  presuming  that  it  is  the  world, 
He  gazes  steadily,  seeing  himself, 
Himself  alone,  and  cannot  understand 
Why  this  great  central  figure  stands  not  out. 
In  bold  relief  to  others  as  himself. 
Another  meeting  is  appointed  now 
With  Georges,  at  his  safe  retreat,  Chaillot. 
'Tis  hoped  an  understanding  to  secure. 
But  poor  Riviere  is  driven  to  despair, 
And  talks  but  of  the  apathy  of  France. 

GOHIER. 

He  lacks  in  courage  and  tenacity. 

Were't  not  for  Madame  Bonaparte,  I'd  chance 

A  fortune  on  our  quick  success.     But  she 

Has  half  the  eyes  of  Paris  after  us, 

And,  for  herself,  I  think  she  never  sleeps. 

But  see!     The  dawn  already  is  upon  us! 

We  must  be  gone. 

[Exeunt. 
Enter,  from  either  side,  CITIZENS. 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  123 

IST  CITIZEN. 
Vive  la  Consulate !     Vive  le  Bonaparte ! 

2r>  CITIZEN. 
What  now,  good  friend,  what  news  ? 

b 

IST  CITIZEN. 

Bonaparte  is  made  first  Consul!     And  for  life! 
Vive  la  Consulate! 

ALL. 
Vive  la  Consulate!     Vive  le  Bonaparte! 

2D  CITIZEN. 
Bat  this  sudden  change,  tell  us  how  came  it  ? 

IST  CITIZEN. 

Ever  as  he  wins,  by  strategy.     He  has  over- 
thrown his  enemies  in  the  Directory  and  Consulate. 

2D  CITIZEN. 
And  our  enemies! — the  enemies  of  France. 

IST  CITIZEN.      (Singing.} 

He  will  give  us  peace  and   plenty — peace  and 
plenty.     Vivele  Bonaparte! 

ALL.     (Singing). 


1 24  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

He  will  make  smile  the  land  of  France.    Vive 
le  Bonaparte!     Vive  le  Bonaparte! 

\_Exeunt,  singing. 


SCENE    THIRD. 

The  Council  of  the  Five  Hundred.  —  LUCIEN  BONA- 
PARTE presiding. 

( Confusion.} 

GOHIER. 

Citizen  President : 

We  must  a  new  election  hold  at  once! 
There  hangs  no  less  upon  it  than  the  fate 
Of  the  Eepublic. 

IST  MEMBER. 

No !     Such  haste  but  shows 
Base  cowardice! 

2o  MEMBER. 

Shame!     Shame!     Shame! 

[Cheers  on  the  right. 

SD  MEMBER. 

Such  language 
Is  an  insult  to  the  Council! 

\_Cheers  on  the  left. 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  125 

THE  PRESIDENT. 

x 

This  must  cease 
Or  we  will  end  in  anarchy. 

GOHIER. 

I  rise  to  ask  the  member  if  his  charge 
Of  cowardice  means  to  apply  to  men 
Or  measures  ? 

IST  MEMBER. 
To  both. 

GOHIER. 

Then  I  do  hurl  it  back 
And  challenge  to  a  test! 

( Great  confusion) 

BARRAS. 

This  is  madness ! 

Are  we  devoid  of  reason  ?     Hear,  oh  hear! 
Who  is  to  profit  by  this  senseless  strife  ? 
The  Great  Republic?     No!     Nor  you,  nor  I, 
Nor  either  of  our  factions!     Such  a  course 
Can  in  destruction  only  end 
Of  all !   Who  seeks  the  good  of  this,  our  France ! 

IST  MEMBER. 
Not  Barras! 


126  Napoleon  and  Josephine.         [ACT  iv. 

SD  MEMBER. 

Shame!  Shame! 

IST  MEMBER, 

Conspirator ! 
Behold  the  arch  conspirator! 

VOICES. 
Conspirator !     Conspirator  I 

IST  MEMBER. 

Tell  us  of  Georges,  and  the  Chouans 
Whom  you  employed  to  murder  Bonaparte ! 

BARRAS. 

I  ask  again, 

Who  seeks  the  good  of  this,  our  France?  Let  him 

Propose  a  sacrifice  that  he  will  make, 

And  I  will  clasp  his  hand  and  go  with  him 

To  his  extremest  measure — even  death! 

What  then  are  we  through  passion,  to  lose  all  ? 

In  this  extremity  we  are  but  ripe 

For  anarchy.     Ho,  Patriots !  Would  you  feel 

The  Despot's  iron  yoke  upon  your  necks! 

The  usurper  comes  by  stealthy  strides, 

And  even  now  is  at  our  gates  !  4 


SCEJSTE  i.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  127 

Enter  BONAPARTE  and  EUGENE. 

in 

See!     See! 
Even  at  the  word  he  comes  I     Away  with  him  ! 

SD  MEMBER. 
Down  with  him  ! 

ANOTHER  MEMBER. 
"He  is  a  traitor ! 

ANOTHER  MEMBER. 

Cromwell ! 

SEVERAL  VOICES. 
Down  with  the  usurper! 

BONAPARTE. 
Citizens,  hear  me! 

VOICES. 
Down  with  him!     Traitor!     Traitor!     Usurper! 

BONAPARTE. 
Will  you  not  hear  me  ? 

VOICES. 
No!    No!    Down  with  him! 


128  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  iv. 

[They  rush  towards  him.  EUGENE  has  sig- 
naled the  Grenadiers  at  the  door,  who 
now  surround  him. 

A  VOICE. 

Down  with  the  usurper!     He  brings  soldiers 
To  overawe  us!      \ 

BONAPARTE. 
"Who  loves  me,  let  him  follow  me ! 

[Marches  out  guarded  by  the  Grenadiers. — 
/Shouts  without — Vive  le  BONAPARTE! 

BONAPARTE  (at  the  door). 

Protect  the  President  of  the  Five  Hundred! 

[Exit. 

[EUGENE  and  Grenadiers 
march  in  and  escort  the  President  out. 


END   OF    ACT    IV. 


Napoleon  and  Josephine.  129 


ACT    V. 

SCENE    FIRST. 

NOTRE    DAME— THE    CORONATION. 
PANTOMIME. 

Upon  the  opening  of  this  scene  is  discovered  the 
interior  of  Notre  Dame,  decorated  with  unequaled 
magnificence. 

The  throne  of  the  Emperor  and  Empress  repre- 
sents a  monument  within  a  monument,  between  two 
columns,  supporting  a  pediment,  upon  which  is  a 
representation  of  the  crown  of  Charlemange. 

On  the  left  is  seen  the  throne  designed  for  the 
Pope,  over  which  is  a  pediment  supporting  a  dia- 
mond cross. 

Directly  in  front  of  either  throne,  in  the  centre 
of  the  stage,  is  the  ^Itar  on  which  are  seen  the 
Scepter,  the  Sword  and  the  Imperial  crowns. 

Prelates  are  discovered  on  either  side  of  the 
throne  designed  for  the  Pope.  The  Bonaparte 


1 30  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

family  on  either  side  of  the  throne  of  the  Emperor 
and  Empress. 

At  the  right  of  the  stage,  dignitaries  of  State. 
Enter  POPE  Pius  VII. 

He  approaches  the  altar,  kneels,  then  ascends 
his  throne! — The  Prelates  approach  and  salute 
him. 

Enter  NAPOLEON  and  JOSEPHINE. 

They  approach  the  altar  and  kneel — Pope  de- 
scends from  his  throne,  comes  to  altar,  holds  his 
hands  over  them  in  blessing. 

Napoleon  raises  his  head  and  is  annointed  by 
Pope  on  forehead,  arms  and  hands.  Pope  then 
takes  sword — Napoleon  rises — Pope  holds  sword  as 
if  in  blessing,  then  girds  it  on  Napoleon. 

Pope  offers  to  take  crown,  but  Napoleon  quickly 
reaches  it  himself  and  deliberately  places  it  upon 
his  own  head.  He  then  takes  the  crown  of  the 
Empress,  and,  as  she  is  still  kneeling  beside  him, 
places  it  gently  on  her  head  ;  then  taking  her  by 
the  hand,  she  arises. 

Pope  then  blesses  scepter  and  gives  to  Napoleon. 
The  Emperor  and  Empress  ascend  their  throne. 
Pope  advances  to  the  foot  of  the  throns  and  raises 
his  hands  in  benediction. 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  131 

SCENE  SECOND. 
PALACE  IMPERIAL. 

THE  EMPEROR'S  CABINET,  dimly  illuminated. 
NAPOLEON  discovered. 

NAPOLEON. 

Thus  far  has  Fate  the  firm  alliance  kept, 

Thus  far  through  scenes  of  fratricidal  strife, 

And  bloody,  devastating,  frightful  war, 

From  conquering  to  conquer  led  her  son! 

Till  now  great  France  and  all  her  power,  lands, 

Rivers,  seas,  immensity  of  wealth, 

And  teeming  millions  of  brave  chivalry, 

Are  but  the  subjects  of  his  scepter's  sway! 

— But  oh,  great  Goddess!  at  what  price  is  this! 

Unto  that  last  dark,  dismal  sleep,  thou'st  sent 

Unnumbered  hecatombs  of  human  forms, 

From  which  to  raise  this  sad  renown! 

The  sighs,  the  tears,  the  anguish  of  despair, 

The  body's  torture  and  the  soul's  defeat, 

The  wailing  millions  of  a  world  attest! 

Oh  Goddess !     Who  can  measure  that  great  cup, 

Wherein  has  been  contained  the  sorrow's  depth 

Which  thou  hast  forced  the  world  to  drink  for  him? 

Eternity  alone ! 

— And  soon  there  will  come,  even  for  thy  son 


132  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 

The  end  that  is  decreed  for  all.     To  sleep 

That  long  last  sleep,  which  goes  forever  on 

Without  a  dream  !     Goddess,  where  then  thy  son  ? 

On  whom  shall  the  Imperial  mantle  fall  ? 

Childless,  thou  leavest  him  to  reign  alone ! 

Across  the  dark  abyss  of  death,  no  tie ! 

— I  did  defy  all  power  for  Josephine, 

And  is  the  penalty  her  barren  womb? 

— If  not  in  my  offspring,  how  shall  my  blood 

And  hers  commingle  on  the  throne  of  France? 

Yet  'tis  decreed  ;  reveal  the  mystery ! 

— Xay,  then,  do  gods  combine  gainst  Thee  and  me, 

To  overthrow  my  power  ? 

O'er  Thee  may  none  prevail! 

Bear  then,  swift  as  His  lightnings, 

E'en  to  the  great  throne  of  the  Thunderer, 

Defiance ! 

So  let  our  bond  become  inseparable; 

Subdue  the  Immortals  Thou,  the  Earth 

Leave  unto  me! 

— Xow  will  I  bridge  the  chasm  over  death! 

My  scepter's  power  shall  rule  throughout  the  world, 

And  my  own  blood  shall  reign  upon  the  throne, 

In  spite  of  gods ! — aye,  though  it  cost  me 

Josephine ! 

Enter  JOSEPHINE. 

[He  rushes  to  and  embraces  her. 
Josephine!  my  peerless,  peerless  one! 


SCENE  IL]       Napoleon  and  Josephene.  133 

JOSEPHINE. 

Didst  thou  call  me? 

— Wherefore  with  voice  so  wild  and  sorrowful? 

NAPOLEON. 

A  hell  of  ugly  dreams  environed  me — 
Thou  wilt  not  leave  me  ? 

JOSEPHINE. 

No !     Never !     Never ! 
My  noble  one,  knowest  thou  not  my  love  ? 

NAPOLEON. 

Yes ! — yes ! — 

Lead  me  away — I  would  have  rest. 

[Exeunt. 
Enter  EUGENE  and  AUGUSTA. 

EUGENE. 

And  this — -and  this  is  greatnessj 

AUGUSTA. 

Ah,  yes! 
But  are  you  the  happier,  my  husband  ? 

EUGENE. 
No!  let  me  confess  it,  no,  Augusta! 


134  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 

In  the  attaining,  not  in  the  thing  attained, 
Our  happiness  does  come.     The  soul's  unrest 
Cannot  be  satisfied. 

AUGUSTA. 

May  it  not  pause 
To  dwell  with  rapture  on  a  great  success  ? 

EUGENE. 

Not  the  truly  great  soul,  no!     It  cannot! 
To  pause  were  death,  and,  being  immortal, 
It  cannot  die,  therefore  it  may  not  pause. 

•   r  .  / 

AUGUSTA. 

But  we  have  reached  a  careful  height, 

So,  let  us  bask  us  in  our  glory's  sun ; 

Nor  let  Ambition's  tempting  voice  betray 

Us  into  paths  which,  though  they  lead  to  fame, 

Power,  place,  but  leave  us  the  sure  mark 

For  base  intrigue  and  treachery. 

EUGENE. 

Ah !  Ah  ! 
What  wondrous  potency  is  in  that  voice ! 

AUGUSTA. 
If  so,  why  should  you  sigh  and  knit  your  brow  ? 


SCENE  ii.]       Napokon  and  Josephine.  135 

EUGENE. 

My  sigh  was  for  the  Empress,  not  her  son; 
And  when  I  heard  your  voice  I  thought  if  she 
Possessed  such  power  with  the  Emperor, 
He  could  not — 

AUGUSTA. 
Has  he  declared  his  policy  ? 

EUGENE. 
No,  not  in  words. 

AUGUSTA. 
Ey  act,  then  ?     Tell  me  all  ! 

EUGENE. 

Not  by  act.     Heaven  save  us  from  that  hour ! 

— I  left  my  mother  a  short  hour  ago ; 

She  had  sent  for  me,  and,  when  I  met  her, 

Fell  upon  my  neck  and,  weeping  bitterly, 

Told  me  she  could  no  longer  hope;  bade  me 

Try,  with  her,  to  be  resigned  in  feeling 

That  our  great  loss  was  the  great  gain  of  France. 

AUGUSTA. 
Has  he  then  signified  as  much  to  her  ? 

EUGENE. 
She  but  divines  it  from  his  manner. 


136  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

AUGUSTA. 
Is  he  unkind? 

EUGENE. 

No,  no!  demonstrative 
In  kindness — pets  and  caresses  her 
As  though  'twere  but  a  little  day  preceding 
A  long  absence ;  and  in  an  hundred  other  ways 
Betrays  himself. 

AUGUSTA. 
Alas,  poor  Empress! 

EUGENE. 

This  interview  and  my  unhappy  dream 
Have  left  me  almost  fitted  for  despair. 

AUGUSTA. 
A  dream  ? 

EUGENE. 

Last  night  I  dreamed  our  Paris  was  besieged  ; 

I,  second  in  command,  had  been  to  inspect 

Our  outposts.    The  night  wore  on  towards  morning, 

When  a  sound  as  of  the  distant  roaring  t 

Of  artillery,  drew  my  attention 

To  the  south  and  east. — The  heavens,  all  cloudless, 

Were  glorious  with  stars ! — Louder,  deeper, 


SCENE  ii.]        Napoleon  and  Josephine.  137 

The  terrible  reverberations  rolled, 

Nearer,  until  the  very  dome  of  heaven 

Seemed  to  tremble!     Then,  through  the  vaulted 

azure 

Rushed  chariots  of  war,  drawn  by  fierce  steeds, 
Whose  dilate  nostrils  sent  forth  the  lightnings ! 
Until  the  sun,  from  out  a  sea  of  blood, 
Leaped  forth,  a  wild  world  of  fire! 
The  Emperor,  with  folded  arms,  the  while 
Strode  to  and  fro  upon  the  parapet, 
Regarding  silently.     But,  as  the  sun 
Came  forth,  he  stumbled,  fell,  and  upon  me, 
Who  stood  beneath,  without  the  battlements. 

AUGUSTA. 

Nay !     Nay !     Be  not  cast  down !     'T  was  but  a 
dream! 

EUGENE. 

Ah,  yes !  't  was  but  a  dream ! — It  is  the  hour 
When  Reynard  should  arrive. 

AUGUSTA. 

Whence  comes  he  ? 

EUGENE, 

Berlin. 


138  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 

AUGUSTA. 

His  English  is^musing,  and,  besides, 
His  repartee  is  excellent,  and  will 
Divert  your  mind,  I  trust,  for  you  must  not 
So  constantly  brood  o'er  this  matter. 

Enter  REYNARD. 
Welcome,  Reynard! 

REYNARD. 
Reynard  is  proud  of  such  velcome ! 

EUGENE. 
Of  one  so  faithful  we  may  well  be  proud. 

REYNARD. 

I  am  glad  to  report  zat  I  make  ze  success  in  Berlin. 

AUGUSTA. 
Bravo,  good  Reynard!  you  shall  have  reward. 

REYNARD. 
Ze  ladie  smile  is  my  good  recompense! 

EUGENE. 

You,  it  seems,  are  always  happy,  Reynard. 

REYNARD. 
I  'ave  not  vat  you  call  ze  greatness,  zen  I  am  vis- 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  139 

out  ze  care — I  'ave  ze  content  vis  ze  world ;   I  no 

can  make  it  ovaire. 

/ 

AUGUSTA. 
Were  you  ever  in  love,  Reynard  ? 

REYNARD. 

In  loafe?  Oui,  oui,  many  times!  Ha!  ha  !  many 
times ! 

AUGUSTA. 
Not  very  deep  ? 

REYNARD. 
I  no  'ave  ze  vat  you  call — ze  loafe  sick. 

AUGUSTA. 
Indeed !  How,  then,  have  you  escaped  ? 

REYNARD. 

La  Belle  France  'ave  ze  pl.aintie,  Madamoselle ! 
Ver  plaintie! 

AUGUSTA. 

You  are  a  philosopher.     But  did  you  never  love 
one  beyond    all  others? 

REYNARD. 
Sometimes,  for  ze  little  vile. 


140  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

AUGUSTA. 
You  are  indeed  mankind  in  miniature. 

REYNARD. 

Zis  loafe  make  ze  conscience  pliable.     I  loafe  all 
ze  Madamoselle. 

AUGUSTA. 
You  are  generous ! 

REYNARD. 
I  must  not  offend. 

AUGUSTA. 
Oh,  no — no  offense!   But  you  are  a  strange  fellow. 

REYNARD. 
Yen  I  may  serve  you,  I  vill  'ave  ze  great  pleasure — 

AUGUSTA. 
This  needs  no  further  proof,  good  Reynard. 

EUGENE. 

Have  you  orders  from  the  Emperor  following 
this  from  Berlin  ? 

REYNARD. 
Zis  is  all. 


SCENE  ii.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  141 

EUGENE. 
Have  you  reported  ? 

REYNARD. 

I  'ave  send  ze  report  by  ze  Secretaire.  Zen  ze 
Emperor  send  for  me,  zat  he  vould  like  to  see  me. 
But  ven  I  vas  come  in  ze  presence  he  'ave  ze  ver 
sad  look.  He  vas  speak  ver  plaisant,  but  I  'ave  ze 
fear  zat  he  vas  not  please  vis  me — he  'ave  ze  cloud 
in  ze  face. 

EUGENE. 

Do  not  let  this  trouble  you.  The  Emperor  is 
in  trouble  touching  an  affair  of  State  diplomacy. 
He  entertains  for  you  only  the  kindest  regards,  I 
assure  you. 

REYNARD. 
Zen  I  am  happie  ! 

EUGENE. 

Would  I  could  say  as  much  ! 

[Exit  EUGENE  and  AUGUSTA. 

REYNARD. 

Zere  is  somezing  ze  mattaire.  Ah !  ze  great  man 
'ave  alvays  ze  troubal.  By  Gar  !  I  would  not  give 
ze  content  of  Reynard  for  ze  crown  of  ze  Emperor. 

[Exit. 


142  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

SCENE  THIRD. 

EMPEROR'S  PEIYATE  PARLORS. 

discovered  asleep  —  JOSEPHINE  sitting  ly  his 


side. 

•JOSEPHINE. 

In  thy  soft  arms, 

Oh,  hold  him  tenderly!  sweet,  gentle  sleep! 

Hover  above  him,  spirits  of  the  blest, 

On  waves  ^Eolian,  and  touch  his  soul 

With  your  divinest  symphonies!     O'er  him 

Let  Lethe's  spray  in  dewy  showers  fall  ; 

The  while  may  rays  of  Hope  shine  through,  and 

show 

A  bow  of  promise  on  the  heavy  clouds 
That  now  shut  out  my  heaven!  —  Oh,  noble  brow! 
Realm  of  fair  Genius!     throne  of  a  lofty  soul! 
Ah,  could  I  lift  thy  sorrow,  as  I  lift 
These  locks  so  silken,  soft!  —  Oh,  splendid  orbs! 
Where  rests  your  glory  now  ?     It  cannot  sleep  ! 

—  Ah,  pale,  pale  cheek  !     Thou  art  quite  colorless  ! 
Oh,  precious  lips  !  on  ye,  my  soul  shall  melt 

In  this  one  kiss! 

—  This  hand,  I  press  to  my  poor  heart,  would  wield 
The  scepter  of  the  world!     But  at  what  cost! 

Ah,  can  it  put  away  its  Josephine! 

Oh  God!     I  can  but  weep!  [Exit. 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  143 

(Napoleon  starts  out  of  his  dream.} 

NAPOLEON. 

Aye!  Aye!     In  spite  of  gods! 
Had  every  god  the  power  of  mighty  Jove, 
All  leagued  against  my  cause,  yet  will  I  sway 
The  scepter  of  the  world !     I  will !  I  will ! 
I  will !     'Tis  I — NAPOLEON  ! 

(Thunder.} 

Turn  loose 

Your  thunderbolts  of  wrath !     Bellow  and  roar! 
Upheave  the  tarth!     Unlock  the  vaults  of  hell! 
Reveal  the  seething  cauldrons  of  the  damned ! 
The  Indomitable  Will  defies  you ! 
....     What  dreams  torment  my  soul! 
Ah !  will  they  drive  me  mad  ? — Once  more  I  wake — 
The  sombre  shadows  sleep — No  wave  of  sound — 
My  brain  reels !     Is  this  death  ? 
....     Ah — wondrous,  incomparable  pageantry! 
What  grand  procession  this  of  stately  forms — 
The  marshalled  glory  of  the  Universe! 
— All-wise!  All-mighty!  All-foreseeing  Jove! 
Thou,  who  in  thunder  tones  command'st  the  host 
August,  of  the  Immortals,  hail!  all  hail! 
What  boldest  thou  in  keeping  for  the  great  ? 
Silence ! 

— Thou  of  the  silver  bow,  Far-seeing 
Phoebus  Apollo,  shall  we  be  gods  ? 


144  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

— Pallas,  Minerva,  answer  me,  and  tell 

What  life  awaits  beyond  the  tomb. 

— Oh,  Fate,  my  mother,  thou  dost  sit  supreme 

O'er  all!  Speak!  Oh,  speak! — All,  all  is  silence! 

'Tis  gone! 

— What  marvelous  perfection  passes  now! 

A  crown  of  thorns,  and  in  His  hands  and  side 

Are  wounds  ; — I  know  Him  not! — But  see!  who 

follows, 
Worshipping  ? — Josephine ! — Alone !  Alone ! — 

On  earth  and  in  Eternity! 

[Exit. 

Enter  REYNARD. 
REYNARD. 

Ah  ha!  Mon  Dieu!  Somezing  is  ze  mattaire — 
ze  vorld  'ave  turn  ze  wrong  vay !  Ough ! — Le  Dia- 
ble! — Reynard  vas  scare  at  ze  self — somezing  is  ze 
mattaire — Reynard  vill  be  no  longaire  ze  valet — 
he  mus'  go  avay  vis  ze  self.  Ough !  hell  sacrament ! 
— By  gar!  I  vill  go  avay  soom  plaise! — Ah!  Mon 
Dieu!  Reynard  mus'  not  lose  ze  mind — he  mus' 
'ave  ze  sang  froid — he  mus'  be  ze  leetle  fox !  Ah 
ha! — By  gar!  Reynard,  ze  fox,  he  know  somezing! 
Vat  he  know  ? — He  know  vat  Reynard  ze  valet 
know ! — Reynard  ze  valet  tell  Reynard  ze  fox ! — 
Vat  he  tell  ? — Vat  he  see  vis  ze  eye  an  ze  ear! — 
Ah  ha! — Ze  Emperor  talk  vis  'ze  gods  in  ze  tun- 


SCENE  in.]      Napoleon  and  Josephine.  145 

daire! — Sooblime  conceptione  ! — Magnifique! — He 
is  vun  brave  General ! — He  no  'ave  ze  fear ! — He  is 
ze  graand  Napoleon! — Reynard  mus'  be  ze  leetle 
fox! 

Enter  EUGENE. 

EUGENE. 
Why,  Reynard,  what  is  the  matter  ? 

REYNARD. 

Ze  mattaire  ?    Ah  ha !     Ze  leetle  fox  mus'  not 
tell  vat  he  know. 

EUGENE. 
But  to  me,  your  friend ! 

REYNARD. 
Reynard  mus'  be  true  to  ze  friend  ? 

EUGENE. 
Always ! 

REYNARD. 
Zen  he  mus'  be  true  to  ze  Emperor ! 

EUGENE. 

I  do  not  ask  you  to  betray  confidence. 
10 


146  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 

REYNARD. 

Ven  I  see  and  'ear  somezing,  zat  is  ze  confidence. 
By  Gar,  I  must  be  true  to  my  General ! 

EUGENE. 
But  is  it  not  best  we  should  know  ? 

REYNARD. 

Ah,  Mon  Dieu !  I  mus'  'ave  ze  time  to  t'ink.  Ze 
Emperor  'ave  ze  great  troubal! — he  vas  talk  vis  ze 
gods  in  ze  tundair.  He  is  vun  graand  Emperor. 

EUGENE. 

Alas  !  My  mother ! — The  Empress  comes,  let  us 
withdraw. 

Exit  REYNARD  and  EUGENE. 

'.  V 

Re-enter  JOSEPHINE. 

JOSEPHINE. 
Oh,  Siren  Hope! 

No  more !  No  more !  Else  tune  your  lyre  to  a  dirge ! 
Nay,  lure  me  on  to  death  !  but  let  me  die 
Mid  mournful  strains !     Sweet  music  is  for  those 
Who  live,  or  here  or  on  the  other  side, 
But  for  the  dying,  sing  a  requiem  ! 
— Ah,  your  soft  voice   has  touched  my   trusting 
heart 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephene.  147 

So  oft,  that  now  the  touch  does  wound,  where  once 
It  had  the  power  to  heal !     Peace!  Away! 
—Now,  now  am  I  alone !     E'en  Hope  is  goner! 
Oh  last,  oh  dearest,  sweetest,  only  comfort 
When  the  heart  is  crushed — to  be  alone  ! 
— Come  now,  my  soul,  and  we  will  sit  us  down 
And  nurse  our  loneliness. 

(She  sits  on  the  floor.) 

Oh,  Grief:  thou  art  the  only  heir  that  I  could  bear! 
I  hold  thee  to  my  breast !     Now  feed  and  take 
The  life  that  gave  thee  life!     Oh  baby,  mine, 
Thou  was't  brought  forth  in  pain,  thou  givest  paiii 
In  nursing,  yet  I  hug  thee  close,  for  thou 
Was't  born  of  him !     My  only  treasure  thou  ! 
And  thou  wil't  not  depart !     Arid  none  will  take 
Thee  from  me;  there  is  no  one  covets  thee. 
Thou  art  unwelcome  everywhere  but  here — 
Here  on  thy  mother's  breast.     Oh  visit  not 
Thy  father  !     Let  him  forget  thee,  forget 
That  thou  was't  born  of  him  ! — Thy  lips  are  cold, 
They  chill  me  to  the  heart !     Cold/  cold  thy  form ! 
Cold  as  dead  love!     Cold  as  thy  father's  love! 
— No!     No!     His  love  is  not  cold! 
Thy  father's  love  is  not  cold,  baby,  no! 
He  loves  me,  oh,  he  loves  me  as  his  soul! 
— But  oh,  he  does  not  know  how  thou  has't  grown, 
Feeding  upon  the  currents  of  rny  life, 
Feeding  upon  the  currents  of  my  life, 


148  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 

Until  thou  art  so  heavy,  hard  to  bear! 

He   does   not  know!      Ah!     Ah! — He  shall  not 

know! 

For  thou  art  not  so  heavy  as  his  world — 
His  world ! — But  mine  f  He  was  my  world — He  is! 
[Rising. ~\ 

I  cannot,  cannot  give  him  up!     No!    No! 
Give  him  to  another !     God !     Oh  God ! — 

\_going] — Thou  cling'st  so  close,  my  baby ! 
Nay,  feed  on ! — Where  shall  we  go,  my  baby  ? 
Feed  on !     Feed  on ! 

[Exit. 

Re-enter  NAPOLEON. 

He  sits  at  table — paper  and  writing  ma- 
terial before  him.  He  takes  up  pen 
to  write.  The  pen  drops  from  his  hand. 

NAPOLEON. 

[Looking  upon  his  hand. 

Thou  wouldst  not  tremble  so  ^ 

To  sign  thy  death-warrant! — Thou  hast  been  firm, 
Unfaltering,  mid  battles'  din  and  roar, 
And  frightful  cries  of  souls  crushed  out  of  men ! 
When,  to  write  one  word,  the  voice  of  armies 
Spoke  the  doom  of  states!     Yea,  when  that  one 
word 


SCENE  in.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  149 

Would   send    brave   thousands,   human   lives,   to 

death! 

But  one  word,  a  name,  't  is  easy  writ — 
NAPOLEON  !  [Re-takes  pen. 

Eternity  resolved  into  a  drop! 

Ah,  little  world,  thou  tremblest  on  the  point! 

Black,  black  as  death !    No  light  illumes  thee  now, 

But  it  will  come! 

— Now,  little  world,  thou  'It  be  the  word,  a  name 

That  shall  be  crown  and  halo  to  the  earth ! 

So  't  is  decreed ! — 

God !     It  has  fallen !     My  world  is  shattered ! 

Light  has  gone  out  forever! 

....  Why,  this  is  madness!    Am' I,  then,  so  weak? 

Is  this  Napoleon  ? — The  arm  of  Fate, 

The  hand  that  holds  the  destiny  of  France, 

Should  bear  a  steadier  nerve ! 

Ah,  thou  hast  shown  thy  loyalty 

To  Josephine! — Now  what  thou  ow'st  to  France! 

[  Writes. 
'T  is  done! 

[Exit. 


150  Napoleon  and  Josephine.  [ACT  v. 


SCENE  FOURTH. 

EMPEROR'S  CABINET. 

JOSEPHINE    is    discovered    attended  by  AUGUSTA  and 
HOBTENSE. 

Enter  NAPOLEON, 

Attended  by  EUGENE,  the  KING  and  QUEEN  OF 
NAPLES,  the  KING  and  QUEEN  OF  WESTPHALIA, 
the  PKINCESS  BOBGHESE,  the  CHANCELLOR  CAM- 
BACEEES  and  COUNT  REGNAUD  DE  SAINT  JEAN 
D'ANGEL.  The  two  latter  as  OFFIOIEES  DE 
L'ETAT  CIVIL  for  the  Imperial  family. 

NAPOLEON  advances  to  JOSEPHINE — speaks  to  her. 
She  comes  down  the  stage,  supported  by  AUG- 
USTA and  HOETENSE. 

NAPOLEON.     (Reads.) 

"  MY  COUSIN,  PRINCE  ARCH-CHANCELLOR  : — I 
sent  you  a  closed  letter  of  this  day's  date,  ordering 
you  to  present  yourself  in  ray  cabinet,  that  I  might 
make  known  to.  you  the  resolution  which  I  arid  the 
Empress,  my  own  dear  spouse,  have  come  to.  I 
was  very  glad  that  the  kings,  queens  and  princesses, 
my  brothers  and  sisters,  my  brothers-in-law  and 
sisters-in-law,  my  step-daughter  and  step-son,  be- 
come my  adopted  son,  should  be  present  at  what  I 
had  to  make  known  to  you. 

The  policy  of  my  monarchy,  the  interest  and 
necessity  of  my  peoples,  which  have  constantly 


SCENE  iv.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  151 

guided  all  my  actions,  require  that  I  should  leave 
after  me  to  children,  inheritors  of  my  love  for  my 
people,  this  throne  on  which  Providence  has  placed 
me.  For  many  years,  however,  I  have  lost  the 
hope  of  having  children  by  my  marriage  with  my 
well  beloved  spouse,  the  Empress  Josephine  ;  this 
it  is  that  induces  me  to  sacrifice  the  dearest  affec- 
tions of  my  heart,  to  hearken  only  to  the  good  of 
the  State,  and  desire  the  dissolution  of  our  marriage. 
Arrived  at  the  age  of  forty,  I  conceive  the  hope 
of  living  long  enough  to  bring  up  after  my  own 
mind  and  my  own  views,  the  children*  it  shall 
please  Providence  to  give  me.  God  knows  how 
much  such  a  resolution  has  cost  my  heart ;  but 
there  is  no  sacrifice  too  great  for  my  courage,  when 
it  is  demonstrated  to  me  that  it  is  for  the  good  of 
France.  I  cannot  conclude  without  saying,  that 
far  from  having  ever  had  reason  to  complain,  I 
have,  on  the  contrary,  only  encomiums  to  bestow 
on  the  attachment  and  tenderness  of  my  well-be- 
loved spouse.  She  has  embellished  fifteen  years  of 
my  life ;  the  memory  of  this  will  always  remain 
engraved  on  the  memory  of  my  heart.  -She  has 
been  crowned  by  my  hand  ;  it  is  my  desire  that 
she  retain  the  rank  and  title  of  Empress,  but  above 
all,  that  she  never  doubt  my  sentiments,  and  that 
she  always  hold  me  for  her  best  and  dearest  friend. 

JOSEPHINE.  —Breads.'] 
"  With  the  permission — 

[Hands  MS.  to  M.  Regnaud.'] 

• 

REGNAUD  [readsJ] 
"  With  the  permission  of  my  august  and  dear 


152  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

spouse,  I  must  declare,  that  retaining  no  hope  bf 
having  children  who  may  satisfy  the  requirements 
of  his  policy  and  the  interests  of  France,  I  have 
pleasure  in  giving  him  the  greatest  proof  of  attach- 
ment and  devotedness  that  was  ever  given  on  earth. 
I  owe  all  to  his  bounty;  it  was  his  hand  that 
crowned  me,  and  on  his  throne  I  have  received  only 
manifestations  of  affection  and  love  from  the  French 
people. 

I  think,  to  evince  my  gratitude  for  all  these 
sentiments,  in  consenting  to  the  dissolution  of  a 
marriage  which  is  now  an  obstacle  to  the  good  of 
France,  which  deprives  it  of  the  happiness  of  being 
one  day  governed  by  the  descendants  of  a  great 
man,  so  evidently  raised  up  by  Providence,  to  efface 
the  evils  of  a  terrible  revolution,  and  to  re-estab- 
the  altar,  the  throne  and  social  order.  But  the  dis- 
solution of  my  marriage  will  make  no  change  in 
the  sentiments  of  my  heart — in  me  the  Emperor 
will  always  have  his  best  friend!  I  know  how 
much  this  act,  commanded  by  policy,  and  by  such 
great  interests,  has  rent  his  heart,  but  we  both  of 
us  glory  in  the  sacrifice  which  we  make  to  the 
good  of  the  country." 

(JOSEPHINE  falls.) 
JOSEPHINE. 

(NAPOLEON,  with  folded  arms,  regarding  her.) 

At  last!  At  last! 

The  end  has  come.     And  now  I  pass  beyond 
Those  scenes  where,  with  our  happiness, 
Ever  must  we  feel  grief's  bitter  stings. 


SCENE  iv.]     Napoleon  and  Josephine.  If):} 

Now,  now  those  wondrous  visions  of  my  youth 

No  longer  are  concealed.     Time's  hand  hath  traced 

In  living  letters  all. — Swiftly  they  speed 

Before  me,  one  by  one — and  now  return 

In  life-like  form,  ,to  tell  me  of  the  past. 

— Yes,  more  than  queen  wast  thou,  O  Josephine! 

— Ah!  ah! — My  hammock! — Mary's  voice! — The 

sea! 

The  sea! 

— Was  't  even  so  ? — How  true  to  history ! 
Speed!    Speed!    My  eyes  do  weaken — Oh  I  would 
See  all  ere  I  depart! — 'T  is  gone!  't  is  gone! — 
— Again  they  come — but  different  forms — 
The  future — ah,  the  future! 
Oh,  tell  on ! 
— Confusion — war — once  more  a  throne! 

(Apparition  of  Louis  NAPOLEON.)  ' 

Hortense  I 

Hortense,  behold  your  son  ! 

* 

......          •          •          • 

Part,  part  your  elements,  etherial  dome  ! 
Bright  angels,  it  is  finished!     Bear  me  home  ! 
Farewell,  oh  earth  !   Farewell  Napoleon  ! 

[Dies. 

*  See  page  154. 


154  Napoleon  and  Josephine.          [ACT  v. 

All  withdraw  except  EUGENE,  AUGUSTA 
and  HORTENSE,  who  fall  on  their  knees 
by  the  side  of  JOSEPHINE — NAPOLEON, 
as  before,  silently  regarding  her. 

As  JOSEPHINE'S  last  words  are  concluded, 
the  Island  of  St.  Helena  is  disclosed, 
against  which  the  waves  are  dashing, 
enveloped  in  clouds. 

The  clouds  are  lifted,  when  the  grave  of 
,  NAPOLEON  is  discovered — the  spirit  of 
the  departed  JOSEPHINE  hovering  over 
it. 

\_Curtain  falls. 


*  The  following  lines  may  be  added  here,  should 
occasion  require  them  : 

Apparition  of  NAPOLEON  IV. 

And  his!     And  his! — ;the  Fourth  Napoleon! 
Great  France!  at  last  your  happiness  has  Come! 


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Napoleon   and   Josephine    ' 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


